All the Pin-up artists !!

Esquire magazine page from 1947

As many of his colleagues, Fritz Willis started his career as illustrator of cinema posters. In 1946 he joined the team of painters of magazine Esquire with his friend Joe de Mers. At the same time he continued to create advertisements, posters, etc for numerous magazines…
In 1961 he signed a contract with Brown & Bigelow publisher for the famous "Artist's Sketch Pad". Fritz Willis' style is easy to recognise, his models are very sophisticated : make up, stylishly dressed, champagne; so contrasting to All Moore's simple women !! It is surprising that Esquire didn't dedicate him a calendar with exclusively his paintings. We can see some of his paintings in the calendars "Esquire 1948 and 1949" which is a compilation of Pin ups from several artists.
When you see these calendars, you are sure you deal with a masterpieces, but if you want to get his pin ups, you have to acquire the magazines of the period. Note the record longevity of his profession : from after-war until the 70's !

1948

With others artists

1949

With others artists

1951

With others artists

1962

1963

1963_2

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

1970_Reno

1970

1971_Reno

1972