The Gibson Girl

She was created by Charles Dana Gibson in the 1890's as the model of moderne feminine perfection; this wasp-waisted, thick maned girl became all the rage. She was seen everywhere in illustrations and advertisements. Young women emulated her distinctive style and young men lusted after her curvacious figure and angelic face. Many artists imitated Gibson and drew Gibson girls. They were the "pin-ups" of their day, though certainly of extreme modesty by our standards.

Charles Dana Gibson, pictured below. The drawing in colour is by Harrison Fisher whom Gibson would consider an imitator, but who rose to fame for his beautiful drawings of coquettish women. In Fisher's work, one can definately see the beginnings of the pin-up taking root.