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Though the 1950s celebrated feminine curves and also gave birth to pin-up girls, it was still unusual for an icon to sport a fuller, rounder physique. When you hear the words "pin-up girl," the first thing that comes to mind is most likely Marilyn Monroe.
This woman was an icon, defining the pin-up model style. But contrary to the common misconception, she’d be around size two by today’s standards and nowhere near the alleged size 16. With Marilyn still embodying the perfect woman to this day, people sometimes forget about the other pin-up girls—for example, the iconic Hilda.
Created by illustrator Duane Bryers (1911-2012), Hilda was a plus-size girl who was definitely not shy about her chubbiness. Not only was she the only curvy girl in the pin-up game at the time, but she was also hilariously clumsy. Hilda pin-ups graced America’s calendars from around the 1950s to the 1980s, and to celebrate that, we are going to share some of Duane Bryers’ classy illustrations below. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Hilda pin-up!
(h/t: vintageeveryday)
This post may include affiliate links.
Who Drew Hilda Pin-Up?
The author of Hilda, the “unconventionally chubby” pin-up girl, is Duane B. “Dick” Bryers (1911 - 2012) from Tucson, Arizona. He was a painter, sculptor, and illustrator who became famous for his pin-up art.
From murals depicting the mining history of Minnesota to “girlie art” on aircraft fuselages (also called nose art), magazine illustrations, and watercolors depicting the cowboy life, Duane Bryers’ art was truly diverse.
However, what made him really famous was Duane Bryers’ Hilda, the cheerful pin-up model. He made about 250 drawings of her beginning in 1956 and up until the mid-80s. Hilda was just as famous as the other pin-up icon, Bettie Page, whose pictures frequenting all kinds of magazines during the 50s.
What is The History of Pin-Up Art?
The history of pin-ups begins as early as the 19th century when burlesque performers and actresses started using photographic advertisements both as business cards and as a means to advertise their shows. Later on, it became quite popular to sell these posters to anyone wanting them. Since those posters, and later magazine cut-outs, were usually pinned up somewhere on a wall or inside lockers of G.I.s during WWII, the term stuck, and the girls depicted in those banners started to be called pin-up models.
It’s true that those posters were mostly intended for an aesthetic purpose without any deeper meaning or thought in them, but there were also authors of pin-ups like Duane Bryers with unconventional ideas and whimsical commentary of the cult-like sexualization of women.
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Catherina Fijalkauskaite 7 years ago
Rubens meets Monet, meets pin up & Duane Bryers <3 LOVE this one!
Who Was The Real Hilda?
Hilda’s realistic looks and cheery personality made lots of people believe that she was based on a real woman. However, Bryers denied the speculation by admitting that Hilda's pin-up was purely the creation of his imagination and not a depiction of someone he knew.
The brilliance of Hilda was in the fact that she always satirized the pin-up culture while also embracing its tropes, all that with a fun, adventurous, and very loving attitude. It’s really no wonder that Duane Bryers’ creation became this popular and is well-loved even though decades have passed and trends have changed tremendously.
Now, let’s get back to Hilda’s adventures on our list! And if you love any of them, don’t forget to tell us in the comments.
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Julie Boyd 7 years ago
Bryers said that there really was no model for Hilda, that he created her in his head. That warms my heart to know that Hilda was his Dream Girl.
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Dana Dragonduck 7 years ago
Yes, this IS exactly what the boobies do when you are trying to carry a big heavy load.
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Barbara Williamson 5 years ago
the storytelling in each and everyone of these is so detailed. #BodyPositivity back when that wasn't a thing, Hilda haz it.
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Susanna Miller 7 years ago
It's mail order, brand new - the box and catalog are on the floor, the tag is indeed on the garment - and they sent a child's instead of an adult's. Look at the length!
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Jyllian Curran 5 years ago
This one is my favorite. So intimate the way that Hilda focuses directly on the viewer while showing her baby picture.
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M Mitchell Marmel 7 years ago
Aha! Now we know the secret! Hilda is actually the Mighty Katrinka, and she's waiting for the Toonerville Trolley! ;-)
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Shauna Moreno 5 years ago
You'd think she'd be a bit more tan with all of this fun in the sun!
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Tom O'Connor 5 years ago
Finally caught ya! Her hair is defying gravity. Still good though. Lol
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Janine Randall 7 years ago
She reminds me of Debbie Reynolds in this one, the facial expression is perfect.
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Teodora Dîrjan 4 years ago
hahahahahaaaa 'v been there, done that. It happened to me when I put some wallpaper all by myself. But finally I did it !
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Edna Donohue 4 years ago
I love that he drew her so adventuress & calm in the face of situations like this!
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Robbie Quattrocchi 6 years ago
This is what I love about her. She's a farm girl who just does her thing.
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Grace Robertson 7 years ago
Hilda should save some leaves for her little outfit - leaves get brittle real fast.
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What do you think ?
Michel M. Prins 7 years ago
The thing I personally always find very outstanding about these drawings of Hilda compared to usual pin-up girls is that the usual pin-up girls were always shown at their best (best pose, best clothing, etc.). The thing with Hilda is that you see her in situations which are far from the way she planned it. You see her happy, sad, annoyed, dreaming, etc. which also includes very genuine facial expressions. The situations she's in makes her very human, likable and relatable. Most of the usual pin-up girls (even though they look absolutely beautiful, stunning and amazing) lack the thing that Hilda has: Being comfortable herself and being comfortable to be around.
Arty 7 years ago
true! but what still bothering me is why is "plus size" supposed to be linked to "clumsy"? isn't it a bit stereotypical? Like you said, the other pin-up girls were always shown at their best.
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Sasy 7 years ago
They are fantastic, I would love it if they were available as prints, or that Society 6 thing where you can get them on items, such as bags and cushions etc, I would LOVE that.
Ravyn Soleil 7 years ago
It's pretty easy to find sites online that do that!
Load More Replies... Michel M. Prins 7 years ago
The thing I personally always find very outstanding about these drawings of Hilda compared to usual pin-up girls is that the usual pin-up girls were always shown at their best (best pose, best clothing, etc.). The thing with Hilda is that you see her in situations which are far from the way she planned it. You see her happy, sad, annoyed, dreaming, etc. which also includes very genuine facial expressions. The situations she's in makes her very human, likable and relatable. Most of the usual pin-up girls (even though they look absolutely beautiful, stunning and amazing) lack the thing that Hilda has: Being comfortable herself and being comfortable to be around.
Arty 7 years ago
true! but what still bothering me is why is "plus size" supposed to be linked to "clumsy"? isn't it a bit stereotypical? Like you said, the other pin-up girls were always shown at their best.
Load More Replies... Sasy 7 years ago
They are fantastic, I would love it if they were available as prints, or that Society 6 thing where you can get them on items, such as bags and cushions etc, I would LOVE that.
Ravyn Soleil 7 years ago
It's pretty easy to find sites online that do that!
Load More Replies...
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