Pin-up art has been very popular and made a particular splash in World War Two. Sexy pin-up girls have been used famously as art work on military combat aircraft — sometimes called “nose art”, “bomber nose art”, or “pin-up nose art”.
Gil Elvgren (1914-1980)
It is largely believed that Gil Elvgren was and continues to be the best pin-up artist the world has ever known. From the mid 1930’s through 1972, Elvgren produced over five hundred paintings of beautiful girls and women.
George Petty (1894-1975)
George Petty, one of the first pinup artists, remains one of the most respected. He is best remembered for “The Petty Girl” – an air brushed pinup image that, while originally modeled after his wife, quickly absorbed the best of a number of different models. First seen in Esquire magazine in the autumn of 1933, The Petty Girl had a large head, an elongated torso and legs, the perkiest of breasts, heavy legs and archly arranged hands and feet. She was soon found on calendars, posters, and advertising ephemera.
– History of Pin Ups
– Pin Up Gallery
– Nose Art
– MilitarySpot Pin Up Girl
– Want to be a MilitarySpot.com Pin Up Model?