Gil Elvgren (American, 1914-1980). It's Up to You, 1958. Oil on canvas. 30 x 24 inches (76.2 x 61.0 cm). Signed lower ri...

Description

Gil Elvgren (American, 1914-1980)
It's Up to You, 1958
Oil on canvas
30 x 24 inches (76.2 x 61.0 cm)
Signed lower right

Property from the Louis and Susan Meisel Collection

The present work is published as a 1960 Brown & Bigelow calendar.

Dressed in red, white, and blue, this all-American beauty-an American counterpart to Marianne, the iconic French symbol of Liberty-encourages voter participation in the 1960 presidential election in this spectacular painting created for the Brown & Bigelow calendar company. The 1960 election was a pivotal moment in U.S. history, marked by the first televised debate, heightened Cold War tensions, growing civil rights movements, and one of the closest popular vote margins in history. The choice to create political art directly tied to the election highlights how high the stakes felt at the time. Elvgren's bright, idealized style promotes political participation as a social good. Subtle nods to the famous "We Can Do It" Rosie the Riveter poster, such as the direct call to action in the title "It's Up to You" and the figure's portrayal as a working woman with a hammer in hand, further emphasize the importance of the moment. This painting stands as one of Elvgren's masterpieces, underscoring the cultural significance of pin-up art in mid-20th century America.

This work appears as figure 369 in Gil Elvgren: All His Glamorous American Pin-Ups by Charles G. Martignette and Louis K. Meisel (Taschen, 1999).


More information about Elvgren, Gil. See also: Gillette Elvgren Artist.

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