Wouldn't You Like To Know...

Full view of oil on canvas published pin-up painting

The artist's signature lower right

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

Framed view in ornate period mid-century gold frame

Detail

Frame detail and corner profile

verso view of untouched canvas on original pine stretcher bars