Surely many of you came across pictures of half-naked girls in retro style on the Web. For those who are not familiar with this type of art, it will be useful to find out what it is called pin-up. Where did this trend originate, and who is the pin-up illustration artist? The USSR, more precisely, the posters of that era gave rich material for creativity.
History of creation and first appearance
The current in America in the early 40s of the twentieth century. The inspiration was the photo of models and actresses of that time. Artist Jill Elvgren signed a contract with a company that created wall calendars, and since then pin-up girls have become popular all over the world.
What is noteworthy: the pin-up image did not imply sultry and fatal beauties, although the prototypes were popular at that time actresses and fashion models. In the artist’s works, they presented behind ordinary household chores: mischievously raised edge of a short skirt, a girl hammering a nail, "accidentally" caught the hem of a bright dress on a plank of a fence.
Further development
After the appearance of calendars featuring half-naked women, a boom began in similar illustrations. But the pin-up did not come to the USSR. It is either a matter of educating Soviet citizens, or the fact that "there was no sex in the USSR," but the fact remains. A society constrained by morality would hardly accept such a genre of art. But, as they say, everything has its time.
Soviet pin-up
Whoever says anything, but the pin-up has come to Russia. Contemporary artist Valery Barykin devoted his creative life to this particular direction, turning women from the posters of the USSR into pin-up models. It turned out bright, unusual, sexy and very playful!
Barykin was able to combine the seriousness of Soviet propaganda posters with deliberate sexuality - combined incompatible in his work. His work especially appealed to those who lived in the good Soviet times and who still remember the life and foundations of that period.
In addition to a vivid and memorable picture, Barykin uses ironic signatures in the style of the USSR to pin-up posters. They resemble those same slogans with calls for labor, which are often printed on various Soviet products.
There is also a note of humor in his works aimed at idealizing the Soviet Union, which has existed throughout its existence. On Barykin's pin-up posters, the USSR is presented in a somewhat implausible form. But this is the special charm of the works of a modern artist.
For example, a luxurious and well-groomed woman standing near a working machine in a factory. Or a beautiful wife in a stunning dress next to a non-drinking husband-chauffeur.
Despite the fact that the artist didn’t find the artist’s work in the pin-up style, the modern public liked them and spread them on the Internet quite quickly. But even now there are advocates of morality who consider Barykin’s work to be vulgar.
Be that as it may, the contented and dissatisfied will always be approximately in half. Valery Barykin himself continues to work in the genre he once selected, arranges exhibitions of his best works and participates in various projects.