ELV59002 Gil Elvgren (1914-1980)

The artwork presents a woman seated upon a red bicycle against a pale green backdrop. Her posture suggests motion; she grips the handlebars with a confident expression directed towards the viewer. The composition is tightly cropped, focusing primarily on her upper body and the bicycles frame.
She wears a striped sweater – alternating bands of blue and white – paired with a short, pleated skirt secured by a red belt. Stockings are visible beneath the skirt, adding to an overall impression of stylized femininity. Her hair is styled in tight curls, further contributing to the image’s polished aesthetic. The footwear consists of what appear to be low-heeled shoes, completing the ensemble.
The artist employed a limited color palette – primarily red, blue, white, and green – which contributes to the works visual clarity and impact. The background is rendered in a flat, uniform tone, devoid of any textural detail, which serves to isolate the figure and emphasize her presence.
Subtly, the image conveys themes of leisure and perhaps a playful defiance of conventional norms. The bicycle itself symbolizes freedom and mobility, while the woman’s attire – a blend of casual and suggestive elements – hints at an embrace of both practicality and allure. Theres a sense of manufactured charm; the scene feels staged rather than spontaneous. The overall effect is one of carefully constructed appeal, likely intended to evoke a specific mood or desire in the viewer. A signature appears faintly near the lower left corner.