c-ge 013 Gil Elvgren (1914-1980)

The painting presents a young woman poised on the edge of a swimming pool, rendered in a style suggestive of mid-20th century American commercial art. She is clad in a yellow swim cap and matching briefs, her skin exhibiting a smooth, idealized quality achieved through careful rendering of light and shadow. The composition directs attention to her figure; she occupies nearly the entire frame, emphasizing both vulnerability and confidence.
The setting itself – a public pool – is rendered with a degree of realism that contrasts with the stylized depiction of the woman. The metal railings flanking the pool’s edge are sharply defined, creating a sense of depth and anchoring the scene within a specific location. Reflections in the water add to this impression of verisimilitude, while also contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal through their shimmering quality.
The artists choice of color is significant. The yellow of her attire provides a visual counterpoint to the cool tones of the pool’s water and surrounding tiles. This contrast draws the eye and reinforces the woman as the focal point. Her gaze, directed slightly off-center, creates an impression of engagement with an unseen observer, inviting a sense of intimacy while maintaining a degree of distance.
Subtly, the work conveys themes of leisure, beauty, and perhaps even aspiration. The pool setting evokes notions of recreation and summertime enjoyment, while the woman’s idealized physique aligns with prevailing standards of feminine attractiveness during the period. The inscription Cover Girl at the bottom corner reinforces this connection to commercial imagery and suggests a deliberate construction of identity for promotional purposes. Ultimately, the painting encapsulates a specific moment in cultural history, reflecting both aesthetic ideals and societal expectations surrounding femininity and leisure.