Fritz Willis Paintings

Signed lower left, 'Fritz Willis' (American, 1907-1979) and painted circa 1960. A delicately modeled example of the work of this notable American illustrator showing a suitably sultry 'sex-kitten', wearing a fur stole, silk stockings and a 'come-hither' expression, with a white-gloved forefinger pointing provocatively to her lower lip and her pinkie extended. Although Fritz Willis published his first pinup as early as 1946, his iconography is more representative of the end of the era of pinups. His models often have more of an introspective maturity; more wanton and confident than Elvgren or Petty's coy and girlish pinups with their toothy grins. He created numerous advertisements for national, front-line products including Pepsi, Max Factor and Sunkist. Willis also illustrated stories for Esquire and the Saturday Evening Post and created covers for all Ice Follies...

Medium: Oil on Canvasboard Signature: Signed Middle Left Sight Size 24.00" x 30.00;" Framed 27.50" by 33.50" Calendar Art for Herald's Casino - Reno, Nevada A large, sultry original published pin-up calendar painting by the prolific and important American artist Fritz Willis. Willis was the last true star pin-up artist of the old guard, when illustrative pin-up reigned supreme in Men's magazines and advertising calendars. The artist worked during the very tail end of the genre's popularity. Showcasing a near-nude sex...