drib 033 Peter Driben

The composition presents a young woman in a dynamic pose, seemingly caught mid-movement. She is depicted wearing athletic attire – a bright red tank top and white shorts – suggesting a recreational or sporting activity. Her expression conveys surprise or perhaps mild distress; her mouth is open slightly, and her eyes are wide. The artist has rendered her with a stylized realism characteristic of the period, emphasizing curves and youthful features.
The background is dominated by dense foliage in varying shades of green, creating a sense of depth and enclosure. A cluster of what appear to be pineapples is positioned behind her, adding an element of unexpected tropical imagery to the scene. The color palette is vibrant, relying heavily on reds, greens, and whites, contributing to a lively and energetic feel.
Superimposed over this visual field are typographic elements. Bold yellow lettering proclaims Beauty Parade, accompanied by a tagline referencing “the world’s loveliest girls.” Beneath that, a smaller block of text promises sensational content: Four Lies About Blondes / Zing On A G-String. The date JAN and the price $0.25 are displayed in the upper right corner.
The subtexts embedded within this work are complex. The overt focus on female beauty aligns with prevailing cultural ideals of the time, presenting a highly idealized image of femininity. However, the playful and somewhat provocative nature of the textual content – particularly the reference to “lies about blondes” and the suggestive phrase zing on a G-string – introduces an element of irony or perhaps even satire. The juxtaposition of athletic activity with overtly sexualized language creates a tension that challenges straightforward interpretations of beauty and femininity. The pineapple imagery, while seemingly decorative, could be interpreted as symbolic of exoticism or escapism, further complicating the work’s meaning. Overall, the piece appears to function as an advertisement designed to attract attention through a combination of visual appeal and sensationalist claims.