Skirting the Issue 1 by Gil Elvgren

Mechanical modernity and the feeling of freedom associated with new means of transport provided wonderful backdrops for popular artists. The dynamic illustration “Skirting the Issue 1” perfectly captures this vibrant synergy that characterizes certain works of the Pin-up movement. The illustrious painter Gil Elvgren combines speed, audacity, and femininity in a striking composition, stopping time right at the moment the action reaches its visual climax.

Perched on a small red and chrome motorcycle, a female biker with reddish hair held back by a bright yellow headband suddenly turns around with an expression of fright and surprise. The rapid movement of the machine has blown open her widely unbuttoned yellow shirt, as well as her short blue skirt, revealing her sparkling white underwear and the top of her sheer stockings held by garters. Her long legs end in surprising yellow pumps that contrast with the roughness of the metal pedals. The entire scene stands out violently against an abstract background of deep turquoise applied with broad horizontal strokes to suggest the blazing speed of movement.

The visual strength of Gil Elvgren rests here on the prodigious management of the motion blur effect in the background. His nervous and assured handling of oil painting manages to transcribe with absolute fidelity the shine of the engine’s metal elements and the illusion of the racing wind.