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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)

#1

illustration of a plus-size girl swinging on the tire with a dog

Duane Bryers Report

#2

illustration of a plus-size girl taking a shower in the garden

Duane Bryers Report

#3

illustration of a plus-size girl on the bike phoning somebody

Duane Bryers Report

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. 

#4

illustration of a plus-size girl having a sunbath near the tree

Duane Bryers Report

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#5

illustration of a plus-size girl with a lantern at night

Duane Bryers Report

#6

illustration of a plus-size girl swimming on the tire and fish biting her

Duane Bryers Report

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.

#7

illustration of a plus-size girl stretching between two parts of bridge with her dog and a basket in her hands

Duane Bryers Report

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#8

illustration of a plus-size girl swimming under the water

Duane Bryers Report

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#9

illustration of a plus-size girl in a swimsuit made out of camomiles showing something to her dog

Duane Bryers Report

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.

#10

illustration of a plus-size girl sleeping in a bed with food on the linens

Duane Bryers Report

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#11

illustration of a plus-size girl hanging upside down on the tree

Duane Bryers Report

#12

illustration of a plus-size girl looking at the frog sitting on the stump

Duane Bryers Report

#13

illustration of a plus-size girl under the water

Duane Bryers Report

#14

illustration of a plus-size girl reading a book on the beach

Duane Bryers Report

#15

illustration of a plus-size girl peeling the vegatables near the oven and the dog pulling her by pants

Duane Bryers Report

#16

illustration of a plus-size girl standing in the basin with water with towel and phoning somebody

Duane Bryers Report

#17

illustration of a plus-size girl painting the pipe

Duane Bryers Report

#18

illustration of a plus-size girl with a basket of shells writing on the sand of the beach

Duane Bryers Report

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#19

illustration of a plus-size girl sitting under the tree on the stairs with a basket of apples

Duane Bryers Report

#20

illustration of a plus-size girl painting and the goat eating her swim costume made out of camomiles

Duane Bryers Report

#21

illustration of a plus-size girl sleeping on the chair with a cat and a dog

Duane Bryers Report

#22

illustration of a plus-size nude girl eating desserts on the chair against the fan

Duane Bryers Report

#23

illustration of a plus-size girl letting out soap bubbles

Duane Bryers Report

#24

illustration of a plus-size girl cutting onions and crying

Duane Bryers Report

#25

illustration of a plus-size girl falling down into the water from the tire with her dog in hands

Duane Bryers Report

#26

illustration of a plus-size girl reading the book around the animals

Duane Bryers Report

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#27

illustration of a plus-size girl going into the sea with the sun umbrella and the tire in her hands

Duane Bryers Report

#28

illustration of a plus-size girl sitting on the stump and a squirrel trying to take a cherry from girl's mouth

Duane Bryers Report

#29

illustration of a plus-size girl washing in the bath with a kettle nearby

Duane Bryers Report

#30

illustration of a plus-size nude girl jumping in the field together with frogs

Duane Bryers Report

#31

illustration of a plus-size girl running for fireflies at night

Duane Bryers Report

#32

illustration of a plus-size girl fishing under the sun umbrella

Duane Bryers Report

#33

illustration of a plus-size girl watching on the plate with a candle at night

Duane Bryers Report

#34

illustration of a plus-size girl swinging with her dog

Duane Bryers Report

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#35

illustration of a plus-size nude girl looking at the sea together with her dog

Duane Bryers Report

#36

illustration of a plus-size girl running in flippers under the rain with an umbrella

Duane Bryers Report

#37

illustration of a plus-size nude girl spinning on the chair

Duane Bryers Report

#38

illustration of a plus-size girl feeding the birds

Duane Bryers Report

#39

illustration of a plus-size girl swimming in a boat

Duane Bryers Report

#40

illustration of a plus-size girl painting and looking at the cow

Duane Bryers Report

#41

illustration of a plus-size girl carrying a huge orange pumpkin

Duane Bryers Report

#42

illustration of a plus-size girl wearing a valentine card instead of costume

Duane Bryers Report

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#43

illustration of a plus-size girl climbing the column in order to help the cat

Duane Bryers Report

#44

illustration of a plus-size girl reading the newspaper and laughing

Duane Bryers Report

#45

illustration of a plus-size girl near the basin with a fly swatter

Duane Bryers Report

#46

illustration of a plus-size girl swimming in the tire under the umbrella

Duane Bryers Report

#47

illustration of a plus-size girl looking at the mirror with a red costume in her hands

Duane Bryers Report

#48

illustration of a plus-size girl climbing on a chair and looking at a mouse

Duane Bryers Report

#49

illustration of a plus-size girl sitting on the flowerbed and cleaning the window

Duane Bryers Report

#50

illustration of a plus-size girl jumping over the river

Duane Bryers Report

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#51

illustration of a plus-size girl in a red costume showing photos from the box

Duane Bryers Report

#52

illustration of a plus-size girl in a hat sitting on the chair and eating watermelon

Duane Bryers Report

#53

illustration of a plus-size girl eating raspberry on the stump

Duane Bryers Report

#54

illustration of a plus-size girl fishing on the shore of the lake

Duane Bryers Report

#55

illustration of a plus-size girl looking at a black cat which sitting in a pipe

Duane Bryers Report

#56

illustration of a plus-size girl wearing on a half red costume standing near the oven

Duane Bryers Report

#57

illustration of a plus-size girl blowing an air balloon

Duane Bryers Report

#58

illustration of a plus-size girl sitting under the rain in the field near camomiles

Duane Bryers Report

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#59

illustration of a plus-size girl flying on the broom

Duane Bryers Report

#60

illustration of a plus-size girl coloring the house on the stairs

Duane Bryers Report

#61

illustration of a plus-size girl sitting on the grass and looking at the cow

Duane Bryers Report

#62

illustration of a plus-size girl walking near the bear with brushwood and an ax

Duane Bryers Report

#63

illustration of a plus-size girl in a red costume washing her head in a bowl

Duane Bryers Report

#64

illustration of a plus-size girl looking into the window

Duane Bryers Report

#65

illustration of a plus-size girl swinging and reading letters

Duane Bryers Report

#66

illustration of a plus-size girl standing straight near the birch

Duane Bryers Report

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#67

illustration of a plus-size girl under the water between the fish looking away

Duane Bryers Report

#68

illustration of a plus-size girl with a plaster on her leg reading a book on the armchair

Duane Bryers Report

#69

illustration of a plus-size girl reading a book on the armchair and laughing

Duane Bryers Report

#70

illustration of a plus-size girl running in the field

Duane Bryers Report

#71

illustration of a plus-size girl making yoga

Duane Bryers Report

#72

illustration of a plus-size girl making a wreath from camomiles

Duane Bryers Report

#73

illustration of a plus-size girl sitting on the bed and yawning

Duane Bryers Report

#74

illustration of a plus-size girl looking away

Duane Bryers Report

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#75

illustration of a plus-size girl sleeping near the tree and squirrels stealing the food from the basket

Duane Bryers Report

#76

illustration of a plus-size girl going on walkers in the field

Duane Bryers Report

#77

illustration of a plus-size girl walking near the shore with wood chips in her hands

Duane Bryers Report

#78

illustration of a plus-size girl looking into the hollow in the tree

Duane Bryers Report

#79

illustration of a plus-size girl wearing a red costume

Duane Bryers Report

#80

illustration of a plus-size girl stomping grapes

Duane Bryers Report

#81

illustration of a plus-size girl sitting on the stump and scratching back with a stick

Duane Bryers Report

#82

illustration of a plus-size girl wearing her dog

Duane Bryers Report

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#83

illustration of a plus-size girl mowing the grass

Duane Bryers Report

#84

illustration of a plus-size girl feeding a skunk

Duane Bryers Report

#85

illustration of a plus-size walking on the fence with a sun umbrella in her hands

Duane Bryers Report

#86

illustration of a plus-size girl putting her legs into hot water

Duane Bryers Report

#87

illustration of a plus-size girl diving

Duane Bryers Report

#88

illustration of a plus-size girl throwing the boomerang

Duane Bryers Report

#89

illustration of a plus-size girl stripped halfway drinking tea

Duane Bryers Report

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#90

illustration of a plus-size girl walking along the railway

Duane Bryers Report

#91

illustration of a plus-size girl painting

Duane Bryers Report

#92

illustration of a plus-size girl reading a book in a hammock

Duane Bryers Report

#93

illustration of a plus-size girl making flip jump

Duane Bryers Report

#94

illustration of a plus-size girl standing near the postbox with letters in her hand

Duane Bryers Report

#95

illustration of a plus-size girl dancing in a red costume

Duane Bryers Report

#96

illustration of a plus-size girl leaning on her elbows on the fence and looking at the tree

Duane Bryers Report

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#97

illustration of a plus-size girl looking into the mirror in a huge hat full of flowers

Duane Bryers Report

#98

illustration of a plus-size girl making a stretch

Duane Bryers Report

#99

illustration of a plus-size girl listening to the music

Duane Bryers Report

#100

illustration of a plus-size girl near water column

Duane Bryers Report

#101

illustration of a plus-size girl walking in the filed with a basket and animals walking behind her

Duane Bryers Report

#102

illustration of a plus-size girl playing the guitar

Duane Bryers Report

#103

illustration of a plus-size girl sleeping under the tree

Duane Bryers Report

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#104

illustration of a plus-size girl lying on the beach towel and reading a book

Duane Bryers Report

#105

illustration of a plus-size girl looking into the oven angrily

Duane Bryers Report

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#106

illustration of a plus-size girl squibing

Duane Bryers Report

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#107

illustration of a plus-size girl playing on the tuba

Duane Bryers Report

#108

illustration of a plus-size girl climbing and losing her bra

Duane Bryers Report

#109

illustration of a plus-size girl standing in the mountains with a flag

Duane Bryers Report

#110

illustration of a plus-size girl shooting with a slingshot

Duane Bryers Report

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#111

illustration of a plus-size girl with a stick in her hands

Duane Bryers Report

#112

illustration of a plus-size nude girl with a red costume in her hand going near the oven

Duane Bryers Report

#113

illustration of a plus-size nude girl drying her red costume near the oven

Duane Bryers Report

#114

llustration of a plus-size girl bandages her finger under the tree

Duane Bryers Report

#115

llustration of a plus-size nude girl sitting near a stack of hay and pumpkin

Duane Bryers Report

#116

illustration of a plus-size girl laughing with her legs in the lake with fish

Duane Bryers Report

#117

illustration of a plus-size girl weeding the beds

Duane Bryers Report

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#118

illustration of a plus-size girl playing on the saw

Duane Bryers Report

#119

illustration of a plus-size girl on the tree looking into the spyglass

Duane Bryers Report

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#120

illustration of a plus-size girl running with a basket under the rain

Duane Bryers Report

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#121

illustration of a plus-size girl sewing up her red costume

Duane Bryers Report

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#122

illustration of a plus-size girl running on the stone in water with her dog

Duane Bryers Report

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#123

illustration of a plus-size girl sitting on the chair with her elbow on the table

Duane Bryers Report

#124

illustration of a plus-size girl standing with leaning on her elbow on the ironing board

Duane Bryers Report

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#125

illustration of a plus-size girl riding a bike with a great amount of leaves

Duane Bryers Report

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#126

illustration of a plus-size girl standing on the rug and reading the book

Duane Bryers Report

#127

illustration of a plus-size girl sweeping the porch

Duane Bryers Report

#128

illustration of a plus-size girl jumping over the stump together with frogs

Duane Bryers Report

#129

illustration of a plus-size girl diving into the lake with ducks on it

Duane Bryers Report

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#130

illustration of a plus-size girl surfing

Duane Bryers Report

#131

illustration of a plus-size girl in the sea with diving mask and flippers

Duane Bryers Report

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#132

illustration of a plus-size girl gluing a wallpaper

Duane Bryers Report

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#133

illustration of a plus-size girl reading letters from the box

Duane Bryers Report

#134

illustration of a plus-size nude girl drying off

Duane Bryers Report

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#135

illustration of a plus-size girl collecting flowers

Duane Bryers Report

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#136

illustration of a plus-size girl playing the guitar on the stump

Duane Bryers Report

#137

illustration of a plus-size girl walking the pig

Duane Bryers Report

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#138

illustration of a plus-size girl pouring water from the boat

Duane Bryers Report

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#139

illustration of a plus-size girl sitting on the grass with one leg on the barrel

Duane Bryers Report

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#140

illustration of a plus-size girl phoning somebody

Duane Bryers Report

#141

illustration of a plus-size girl making photo with her dog

Duane Bryers Report

#142

illustration of a plus-size girl herding the cow

Duane Bryers Report

#143

illustration of a plus-size girl making a bouquet from flower in a vase

Duane Bryers Report

#144

illustration of a plus-size girl feeding the birds

Duane Bryers Report

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#145

illustration of a plus-size girl jumping over the fence with her dog

Duane Bryers Report

#146

illustration of a plus-size girl putting on her red costume

Duane Bryers Report

#147

illustration of a plus-size girl sharpening the ax

Duane Bryers Report

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#148

illustration of a plus-size girl going near the house with a can full of berries

Duane Bryers Report

#149

illustration of a plus-size girl climbing over a barbed wire

Duane Bryers Report

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#150

illustration of a plus-size girl looking angrily near a brocken pot of flower

Duane Bryers Report

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#151

illustration of a plus-size girl searching the gold in the lake

Duane Bryers Report

#152

illustration of a plus-size girl looking into the stump

Duane Bryers Report

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#153

illustration of a plus-size girl standing with two horseshoes on her hands

Duane Bryers Report

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#154

illustration of a plus-size girl eating sandwitch in the boat

Duane Bryers Report

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#155

illustration of a plus-size girl going into the lake with tire and umbrella

Duane Bryers Report

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#156

illustration of a plus-size girl touching water in the lake with her toe

Duane Bryers Report

#157

illustration of a plus-size girl throwing the stone into the lake

Duane Bryers Report

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#158

illustration of a plus-size girl running out of the fire

Duane Bryers Report

#159

illustration of a plus-size girl playing the guitar on the stump

Duane Bryers Report

#160

illustration of a plus-size girl fell down the tire with her dog in her hands

Duane Bryers Report