|
||
|
|
|
|
This 1920s pinup poster, by Gene Pressler, presents a serene tableau of Polynesian allure, depicting a woman in Pacific attire, holding a bottle as she sits by a reflective waterway. The piece is emblematic of the early 20th century's enchantment with the Pacific Islands, a region that had captured the Western imagination with its promise of paradise and leisure. The poster is characteristic of Pressler's Art Deco pinup style.
In the wake of World War I, the Western world saw a burgeoning fascination with escapism, and the Pacific Islands emerged as quintessential havens in popular imagination. This poster by Pressler is a testament to the era's visual culture, which often romanticized these distant locales as untouched by the ravages of modern life and industry. The woman's costume and the lush environment around her are indicative of the period's aesthetic trends and its penchant for idyllic, pastoral scenes. The detailed depiction of the woman’s grass skirt, the tropical flora adorning her hair, and the thatched hut in the background, are all reflective of the Western interpretation of Polynesian culture, filtered through the lens of commercial artistry.
Rarity
Although the image has been reproduced many times, including on the cover of at least one book, original posters are rare.
![[Hawaii] Le Isole di Sandwich Delineate Sulle Osservazioni De. Cap. Cook . . . 1798](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/91731.jpg)
