Tantalizing and artistic, a fascination with pin-up prints and girls has endured for over a century. But ever since its rise to popularity people have debated over the social impact of sexy pin-up art. Is...
Tantalizing and artistic, a fascination with pin-up prints and girls has endured for over a century. But ever since its rise to popularity people have debated over the social impact of sexy pin-up art. Is it sexism or feminism?
For decades pin-up art has been both celebrated as a symbol of feminism and criticized as oppressive sexism. We take a look at which is true.
Criticisms of Sexy Pin-Up Art
Ever since the beginning of sexy pin-up prints, there have been criticisms. Two of the most common critiques have been the objectification of women and the corruption of social morality.
In the early days of vintage pin-up art, even celebrities were taking part. For actresses, sexuality was the key to public recognition, fame, and success on-screen. As such, they would seek to make and distribute sexy vintage pin-up art as a form of self-promotion.
Some people see this as proof that pin-up art is the objectification of women. In reality, it was a symptom or, more appropriately, a reaction to a system that objectified women. For many, pin-up art was a tool that allowed women to gain notoriety in an unequal society.
Another common complaint is that this erotic art corrupt social morality. This criticism was inevitable. Pin-up girls are the direct descendent of burlesque photography and culture. Burlesque intentionally runs against the grain of societal norms. So any offshoot of it was likely to rub some people the wrong way.
Throughout history, emerging art forms and ideas have always been met with heavy criticisms. From historical thinkers like Socrates to modern art forms like video games, new concepts and arts always face accusations of corrupting the youth.
For pin-up art prints, the positives far outweigh the criticisms.
Positive Body Image
The pin-up model is a celebration of the bodies of real women that predates Dove’s celebrated Real Beauty campaign by over a hundred years. From its outset, pin-up prints have propagated positive body image. Rejecting the Victorian era’s zeal for bodily shame.
The simple makeup and apparel that accentuates the feminine body focusing on natural female beauty. The pin-up model isn’t chasing false beauty ideals. She is confident in her own body and celebrates her sexuality.
Healthy Body Type
Early pin-up models helped to establish healthy body types as desirable. It encourages women to celebrate a clean, healthy, real feminine body. As Meghan Trainor would say, “I won’t be no stick-figure, silicone Barbie doll.”
Erotic Self-Awareness & Expression
The sexual revolution often receives credit as one of the most important events in feminism. Pin-up model Bettie Page is heralded as the catalyst of the sexual revolution. Vintage pin-up art, however, had already been giving women a means of erotic self-awareness and expression since the 1890s.
The pin-up girl is sexually liberated, a testament to feminine beauty and sexuality.
Shop Vintage Pin-Up Art For Sale
Today, vintage pin-up art remains popular and impactful in the erotic art community. It crosses bridges of BDSM art and fetish themes that celebrate femininity. Discover pin-up art for sale in our online gallery today.
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