 | 
| Brunswick Bowling Pin-up Girl |
|---|
| Artist: | William Medcalf |
| Date: | 1948- 1952 |
| Medium: | Oil on Board |
| Dimensions: | Sight Size 22" x 27" Framed 25 1/2" x 30 1/2" |
| Condition: | Excellent |
| Original Use: | Advertising Calendar Art for Brunswick Bowling Equipment |
| Price: | $8500.00
 |
 |
| Above: Framed view in original limed wood frame |
 |
| Above: Brunswick text in image area |
A new to the market and rare surviving pin-up themed oil painting likely commissioned for Brunswick Bowling Equipment. A nostalgic Americana time capsule that dates from the late 1940s-early 50s. A capable and confident young fashion-forward redhead shows off her form on the lane in a clingy sweater and bobby socks in this tightly rendered and luminous oil on board advertising painting. This work is in a fine state of conservation in original limed wood frame, the painting is unsigned but is clearly the work of William Medcalf.
 |
| Above: Frame detail and corner profile |
 |
| Above: Verso view |
 |
| Above: Detail |
Many of the 1940s - 1950s pin-up illustrators took a turn creating cheesecake themed pin-up girl bowling entanglements, which attests to the popularity of the sport. Usually, these depicted a daffy damsel in a situational mishap with a not too clever calendar company title such as "A Pin Cushion" by Ruth Deckard, or "A Sit Down Strike" by Al Leslie (a.k.a. Al Buell).
The young model here clearly has all of the right moves, she commands the assembled crowd and the viewers eye. Of note is the treatment of the assembled figures in the background, who emerge from the darkness and shadows in a gritty, WPA-inspired style that contrasts well with the glossy and slickly rendered luminous central form.
A fine example of Advertising Americana that should appeal to bowling fans and those attracted to the great American pin-up alike.
Search for more art by William Medcalf
| 
 | 
 |
