Above: Full view of painting

Above: The artist’s signature

Above: Detail

D’Ancona brings a lighthearted sense of whimsy to this 1950s situational cheesecake pin up oil on board, which he created for the Goes Lithographic Company, Cincinnati Ohio.
A talented and prolific illustrator, D’Ancona excelled at creating curvaceous imaginings of the Girl Next Door, often presented at her most adorably vulnerable. In this artwork, a pouting brunette reaches for “A Lost Oar” (the title seen on verso of illustration board) only to find herself up the proverbial creek without a paddle. The viewer is invited to view himself as her savior, and presumably to enjoy the afternoon delights which would follow. This features all of the most coveted elements of the Great American Pin Up, circa 1950–a scantily clad, yet innocent beauty enjoying some good clean fun, with only a hint of what might be to come next.

Above: Framed and matted behind glass in wide profile period art deco frame

Above: Detail

D’Ancona is remembered for his painterly style, with careful yet effortless brushstroke, an eye for detail in the figure, and a joyful personification of every boy’s pin up dream. All are on display in Up A Creek. The artwork is matted and framed in a wide profile period gesso frame, ready to display.

Above: verso notations

Above: verso title