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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Sorry, It's Sold

Wouldn’t You Like To Know…

Artist:Fritz Willis
Date:1963
Medium:Oil on Canvas
Dimensions:Sight size 24" by 34" Framed 30" by 40"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Calendar art for Brown & Bigelow
Price: Sold
Full view of oil on canvas published pin-up painting
Full view of oil on canvas published pin-up painting

 

The artists signature lower right
The artist’s signature lower right

 

The image as it appeared as the February 1963 calendar page
The image as it appeared as a February 1963 calendar page

Wouldn’t You Like To Know… is 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 calendars. The artist worked during the very tail end of the genre’s popularity, and in paintings like this, brought the girl next door into the Swingin’ 60s, sometimes even giving her a touch of the swinger vibe. Showcasing a near nude modern sex kitten with the artist’s trademark aura of bored sophistication (and opera gloves). The Willis girl had no pretense of innocence, no oops moment or pursed lips, in many regards she was a creature of her time and stands as a time capsule when viewed today.

This oil on canvas was commissioned by the storied Brown & Bigelow calendar company as part of a 12 month calendar that used a different Willis girl to illustrate each month. It appeared as the February, 1963 illustration in the Artist’s Sketch Book Memo Calendar. A complete vintage calendar is included in the sale.

 

Artist's Sketch Book memo calendar for 1963
Artist’s Sketch Book memo calendar for 1963

 

Framed view in ornate period mid-century gold frame
Framed view in ornate period mid-century gold frame

 

Detail
Detail

 

Frame detail and corner profile
Frame detail and corner profile

 

verso view of untouched canvas on original pine stretcher bars
verso view of untouched canvas on original pine stretcher bars

Wouldn’t You Like To Know…

Artist: Fritz Willis
Price:  Sold

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1960s, Brown & Bigelow, erotic, Fritz Willis, nude, opera gloves, original calendar art, pin up, risque, The Golden Gallery
Added to Gallery: December 1, 2014

 

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    About Grapefruit Moon Gallery

    Grapefruit Moon Gallery, based in Minneapolis MN, specializes in vintage pin up and original illustration art.  We are the proud home of the Bunny Yeager archives.

    Since 2003, Grapefruit Moon Gallery has been a leading dealer of exclusive original paintings by Gil Elvgren, Alberto Vargas, Earl Moran, Rolf Armstrong and Henry Clive, as well as vintage photographs, prints, and period decorative arts in ceramic and metal.

    All artworks featured are original, accurately represented, and guaranteed to be the work of the named artist.

    Interested buyers may view pieces by appointment and we are happy to answer any questions you may have. [Contact Us]

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