Gil Elvgren

Hundreds of illustrators longed to be able to paint girls as Elvgren did.

Gil Elvgren pin-up artist - self protraitGil Elvgren (1914-1980)

Painting each assignment with increasing ease and confidence, he created his greatest and most sophisticated pin-ups in the later stages of his career.

...continued from previous gallery
Although Alberto Vargas and George Petty had both been very popular, their appeal was limited to a specific public. Elvgren on the other hand was applauded by both the public and his peers a distinction that neither Vargas nor Petty enjoyed. His ability and technique were admired and respected throughout the commercial-art industry.

As a result of this admiration, and because his own skills had developed to such an extent, by 1958 Elvgren felt extremely comfortable with both his talent and his success. Elvgren's early work is much tighter than his later paintings, which are structurally more relaxed and less academic (or so he made it appear).
...continued in next gallery

Please note that throughout these 9 galleries, biographical notes have been borrowed from Charles G. Martignette Jr (1950–2008) who co-wrote Gil Elvgren: All His Glamorous American Pin-Ups with Louis K. Meisel.

All Pin-up Files gallery images are subject to copyright and must not be considered to be in the public domain. All copyright information is shown where known.

The Pin-up Files Blog See also Brown & Bigelow Licensing from The Pin-up Files Blog
The Pin-up Files Blog See also Copyright :: general guidelines from The Pin-up Files Blog

Wanted!

Are you a pin-up artist or photographer?
Wanted! Artists & Photographers
Apply for a gallery at
The Pin-up Files

Share in our high search engine rankings!

The Gift of Glamour

Retro lingerie and stockings for classy glamour girls from Secrets in Lace
Secrets in Lace retro lingerie
View & buy at
Secrets in Lace

"Keep the romance alive!"

Donations

The Pin-up Files is free!
Please help keep the girls in nylons with a small donation
THANK YOU

page top
gallery top