Taking Ways by Gil Elvgren

Exploiting the comic register dear to the Pin-up universe, the painting designated by the title “Taking Ways” depicts a particularly amusing seaside incident. The genius creator Gil Elvgren transforms an embarrassing moment of panic into a delightful beach comedy. The scenario is based on a playful gap between the amused vulnerability of the young woman and the tenacity of a mischievous animal.

Kneeling on a large white beach towel spread out on the fine sand, a superb young woman with tousled auburn hair desperately tries to cover her nudity. She presses a thin blue towel with yellow borders against her chest and thighs, displaying a disconcerted pout. Her feet are slipped into yellow wedge sandals with green straps. In front of her, a small dachshund dog with a brown coat pulls with all its might on a bright yellow swimsuit that it has caught in its mouth. On the right, a pair of brown sunglasses rests on the light blanket bathed in a low-angled summer light.

Gil Elvgren’s technical virtuosity bursts forth through the silky representation of the female anatomy and the extremely detailed rendering of the canine coat. The harmony of warm tones and the subtle play of cast shadows demonstrate his undisputed excellence in oil painting.