Elvgren Model Photo for "Weighty Problem" (Aka "Starting at the Bottom")

Elvgren Model Photo for "Weighty Problem" (Aka "Starting at the Bottom"). 1962. Unknown model.

Elvgren Original Studio Photos from "A Shady Trick" (1953)

Elvgren Original Studio Photos from "A Shady Trick" (1953). It's interesting to compare the photos, since different models are posing for the same painting. The model with the shorter hair is Elvgren regular Myrna Hansen, who was Miss USA 1953. She was also a bit part TV and movie actress who appeared in shows like "Green Acres" and movies such as "Magnificent Obsession." I don't know the identity of the long-haired model. Anyone?

Gil Elvgren Model Reference Photo-- "Lucky Dog" aka "Dog Gone Robber" (1958)

Gil Elvgren Model Reference Photo-- "Lucky Dog" aka "Dog Gone Robber" (1958). I've featured these Gil Elvgren model reference photos in the past, and here's another one. More to come in the future. This photo is interesting, because it shows a variety of poses. Not sure who the model was for this one.

Elvgren Original Studio Photos Part III

A few more Elvgren studio photos. More to come in the future. Model identities unknown. The woman with the fur is called "Purrrrrr-fect aka Corinne"(date unknown, 60's). The artist pinup is called "The Right Touch" (1958). That's Elvgren's original paint all over "Corinne."

Elvgren Original Studio Photos Part II

A couple more examples of Elvgren studio reference photos. A few more to come tomorrow, and perhaps more in the future as we have about 85 of them. The magician is from a painting called "It's Easy" (1955). The other painting is "The Winner" (1957). Not sure who these models are. Notice how the model has a ball of thread in her mouth in place of an apple. I suppose she didn't want to be dripping in apple juice during her shoot.

Original Gil Elvgren Studio Pin-Up Reference Photos

In the world of "pin-up," the most celebrated artist is arguably Gil Elvgren, master illustrator often called the Norman Rockwell of Pin-Up Artists. His paintings were much more thematic than the muted, airbrushed world of the Vargas pin-up. While the Vargas pin-ups were usually painted on a single-color background with few to no "props," the Elvgren pin-ups were full of bright colors with more action elements including strategically props with which the pin-ups interacted. They pop with life and, although there is no denying that Vargas was also a great artist, the Elvgren pin-ups are more evocative of the era in which they were painted.

What I've posted here is two examples of original Elvgren studio pin-up photographs from our collection. Elvgren photographed his models in his studio, and then painted from the reference pictures, admittedly idealizing the actual features of the models. Elvgren did not like to paint from life and preferred these still photos for reference, perhaps because he did not want to get too "stuck" on what the model really looked like. These photos were purchased from the collection of Elvgren apprentice pin-up painter Donald "Rusty" Rust. What's splendid about them is that they retain so much character. Many of the photos we obtained still have tape from being adhered to Elvgren's easel and some even have splotches of his paint. The identity of the models shown here is not known, but prominent Elvgren models included Arlene Dahl, Myrna Loy, Myrna Hansen, Donna Reed, Kim Novak, and Barbara Hale. The witch painting is titled "Riding High" (1959) and the bannister painting is titled "Look Out Below" (1956).