pcal ge pad 031301 Gil Elvgren (1914-1980)

The composition presents a female figure in a provocative pose against a backdrop that incorporates elements of a calendar page. The woman is depicted with a confident stance, one leg slightly forward and bent at the knee, while she leans on a walking stick. Her attire consists of lingerie – a bra and stockings – and a dark robe partially drawn open, revealing her form. A small dog, seemingly agitated, clings to her arm.
The color palette is dominated by warm tones: reds, browns, and creams, contributing to an overall sense of intimacy and perhaps even decadence. The lighting highlights the contours of the woman’s body, emphasizing a deliberate display of sensuality.
Superimposed on the right side of the canvas is a calendar page for March 13th, displaying dates in multiple languages (German, Swedish, English). This juxtaposition introduces an element of temporal specificity and potentially commentary on societal expectations surrounding femininity and time. The presence of the calendar suggests a connection between the woman’s image and a structured system of days and obligations, which she seems to disregard or playfully subvert through her posture and attire.
The dogs behavior – its clinging and apparent distress – could be interpreted as symbolic of an emotional dependence or perhaps a disruption of the carefully constructed persona the woman projects. The walking stick, held casually in her hand, might signify independence or a playful assertion of control.
Subtexts within the work appear to explore themes of female agency, societal constraints, and the tension between public image and private self. The calendar’s presence suggests an awareness of the pressures placed upon women during the period in which it was created, while the womans defiant pose implies a rejection or negotiation of those expectations.