What is Pin-Up Art?

La Vie Parisienne (Parisian Life) was a French magazine began during late nineteenth century, becoming increasingly popular during WW1 and the roaring twenties and ending after WW2.

Although initially directed at French high society and the arts, the magazine became very popular during the first World War with soldiers fighting on all fronts, despite its French patriotic leaning. No doubt its “comic like” style and its risqué visual content featuring scantily clad women in humorous poses added to its popularity. Today we might recognize this as a forerunner to the “pin-up” magazine or label it “vintage erotica” except that instead of photographs there were tastefully drawn images by some of the most famous French illustrators and artists of the day.
The magazine became a training ground for many artists – some becoming famous through their contributions others making simply making a living while their reputations grew though poster and canvas mediums. A good example of this is Rene Vincent – famous for his Art Deco automobile advertisements of the day. Although publication spanned many art styles of the French “Belle Epoch” or Golden Age it is the Art Deco style that is so well depicted in so many of the illustrations and it is lovers of this style that are drawn to these illustrations.
CLICK HERE to view these prints – we will be adding hundreds of new prints over the next several months, they are all original dating from the teens and twenties from the last century.