Shady Trick by Gil Elvgren

The art of transforming a simple domestic incident into a sparkling and seductive scene is the trademark of the great illustrators of the last century. Through the painting “Shady Trick”, the famous artist Gil Elvgren demonstrates once again his unique vision of the Pin-up movement. He manages to breathe a dose of slapstick comedy into an everyday composition, elevating a mundane situation to the rank of an instantly recognizable and deeply endearing visual icon.

Trapped in the capricious cords of a light wood Venetian blind, an attractive redhead gives us a round look of comic astonishment, her mouth forming a small circle of surprise. She wears a bright apple-green turtleneck sweater that hugs her curves, contrasting with a dark, full skirt that has unfortunately been rolled up in her struggle with the mechanism. This imbroglio reveals her slender legs, sheathed in black nylon stockings with a dark welt, highlighted by elegant strappy sandals. The light coming from the window warmly illuminates the scene from behind, revealing the silhouette of green plants outside and creating shimmering reflections on the fabric of the skirt.

Gil Elvgren’s technical skill bursts forth in the complex management of the backlit lighting that bathes the room. The expert use of oil painting gives him the possibility to meticulously texture the blind slats while maintaining impeccable fluidity on the smooth skin tones.