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Though the 1950s celebrated feminine curves and also gave birth to pin-up girls, it was still unusual for an icon to sport a fuller, rounder physique. When you hear the words "pin-up girl," the first thing that comes to mind is most likely Marilyn Monroe

This woman was an icon, defining the pin-up model style. But contrary to the common misconception, she’d be around size two by today’s standards and nowhere near the alleged size 16. With Marilyn still embodying the perfect woman to this day, people sometimes forget about the other pin-up girls—for example, the iconic Hilda.

Created by illustrator Duane Bryers (1911-2012), Hilda was a plus-size girl who was definitely not shy about her chubbiness. Not only was she the only curvy girl in the pin-up game at the time, but she was also hilariously clumsy. Hilda pin-ups graced America’s calendars from around the 1950s to the 1980s, and to celebrate that, we are going to share some of Duane Bryers’ classy illustrations below. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Hilda pin-up!

(h/t: vintageeveryday)

#1

illustration of a plus-size girl swinging on the tire with a dog

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Sasy
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Incredible, she is so vibrant and alive, for a moment I actually forgot it was not the real her.

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Who Drew Hilda Pin-Up?

The author of Hilda, the “unconventionally chubby” pin-up girl, is Duane B. “Dick” Bryers (1911 - 2012) from Tucson, Arizona. He was a painter, sculptor, and illustrator who became famous for his pin-up art. 

From murals depicting the mining history of Minnesota to “girlie art” on aircraft fuselages (also called nose art), magazine illustrations, and watercolors depicting the cowboy life, Duane Bryers’ art was truly diverse. 

However, what made him really famous was Duane Bryers’ Hilda, the cheerful pin-up model. He made about 250 drawings of her beginning in 1956 and up until the mid-80s. Hilda was just as famous as the other pin-up icon, Bettie Page, whose pictures frequenting all kinds of magazines during the 50s. 

#6

illustration of a plus-size girl swimming on the tire and fish biting her

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Sasy
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ooo its like a play on the tanning cream and the puppy, sort of kind of in a way :P

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What is The History of Pin-Up Art?

The history of pin-ups begins as early as the 19th century when burlesque performers and actresses started using photographic advertisements both as business cards and as a means to advertise their shows. Later on, it became quite popular to sell these posters to anyone wanting them. Since those posters, and later magazine cut-outs, were usually pinned up somewhere on a wall or inside lockers of G.I.s during WWII, the term stuck, and the girls depicted in those banners started to be called pin-up models.  

It’s true that those posters were mostly intended for an aesthetic purpose without any deeper meaning or thought in them, but there were also authors of pin-ups like Duane Bryers with unconventional ideas and whimsical commentary of the cult-like sexualization of women.

Who Was The Real Hilda?

Hilda’s realistic looks and cheery personality made lots of people believe that she was based on a real woman. However, Bryers denied the speculation by admitting that Hilda's pin-up was purely the creation of his imagination and not a depiction of someone he knew. 

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The brilliance of Hilda was in the fact that she always satirized the pin-up culture while also embracing its tropes, all that with a fun, adventurous, and very loving attitude. It’s really no wonder that Duane Bryers’ creation became this popular and is well-loved even though decades have passed and trends have changed tremendously. 

Now, let’s get back to  Hilda’s adventures on our list! And if you love any of them, don’t forget to tell us in the comments.

#10

illustration of a plus-size girl sleeping in a bed with food on the linens

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Daria B
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember this one. Just did't know it was a character from a whole series of pictures.

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#14

illustration of a plus-size girl reading a book on the beach

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Sasy
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love it, one never does remember things like bees when adorning oneself in flora

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#19

illustration of a plus-size girl sitting under the tree on the stairs with a basket of apples

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Julie Boyd
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bryers said that there really was no model for Hilda, that he created her in his head. That warms my heart to know that Hilda was his Dream Girl.

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#22

illustration of a plus-size nude girl eating desserts on the chair against the fan

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Sasy
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you got to do, what you got to do when its melting hot

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#34

illustration of a plus-size girl swinging with her dog

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CelSlade
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The detailing is amazing! Look how the seat cuts into her thighs. This guy really loved his subject matter.

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#35

illustration of a plus-size nude girl looking at the sea together with her dog

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#36

illustration of a plus-size girl running in flippers under the rain with an umbrella

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#38

illustration of a plus-size girl feeding the birds

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Amy Baer
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just more proof she's a Disney princess. The mama bird is there. If a non Disney princess tried that the mama would be attacking

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#41

illustration of a plus-size girl carrying a huge orange pumpkin

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Dana Dragonduck
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, this IS exactly what the boobies do when you are trying to carry a big heavy load.

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#46

illustration of a plus-size girl swimming in the tire under the umbrella

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Barbara Williamson
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the storytelling in each and everyone of these is so detailed. #BodyPositivity back when that wasn't a thing, Hilda haz it.

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#47

illustration of a plus-size girl looking at the mirror with a red costume in her hands

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Susanna Miller
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's mail order, brand new - the box and catalog are on the floor, the tag is indeed on the garment - and they sent a child's instead of an adult's. Look at the length!

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#51

illustration of a plus-size girl in a red costume showing photos from the box

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Jyllian Curran
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is my favorite. So intimate the way that Hilda focuses directly on the viewer while showing her baby picture.

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#68

illustration of a plus-size girl with a plaster on her leg reading a book on the armchair

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chachkimooch
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love her expression in this one, kinda reminds me of Doris Day...

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#76

illustration of a plus-size girl going on walkers in the field

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CelSlade
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I officially have a new role model - she's independent (paints her own house, does her own plumbing even!) fun, sexy, voluptuous. And not complaining one bit at being single. Yup - I wanna be her when I grow up!

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#78

illustration of a plus-size girl looking into the hollow in the tree

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Pi...
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had this funny thought that she might get a nice nip on the nose!

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#86

illustration of a plus-size girl putting her legs into hot water

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Pi...
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ooooh! The feeling of a nice foot soak after a long hike!

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#90

illustration of a plus-size girl walking along the railway

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M Mitchell Marmel
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aha! Now we know the secret! Hilda is actually the Mighty Katrinka, and she's waiting for the Toonerville Trolley! ;-)

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#110

illustration of a plus-size girl shooting with a slingshot

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Tom O'Connor
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finally caught ya! Her hair is defying gravity. Still good though. Lol

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#112

illustration of a plus-size nude girl with a red costume in her hand going near the oven

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#117

illustration of a plus-size girl weeding the beds

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#118

illustration of a plus-size girl playing on the saw

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Janine Randall
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She reminds me of Debbie Reynolds in this one, the facial expression is perfect.

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#125

illustration of a plus-size girl riding a bike with a great amount of leaves

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#129

illustration of a plus-size girl diving into the lake with ducks on it

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#132

illustration of a plus-size girl gluing a wallpaper

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Teodora Dîrjan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hahahahahaaaa 'v been there, done that. It happened to me when I put some wallpaper all by myself. But finally I did it !

#136

illustration of a plus-size girl playing the guitar on the stump

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Ana Dias
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she's beautiful, and you can tell that the artist really loved her curves!

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#138

illustration of a plus-size girl pouring water from the boat

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Edna Donohue
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love that he drew her so adventuress & calm in the face of situations like this!

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#146

illustration of a plus-size girl putting on her red costume

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Pi...
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too close to the stove, Hildie! U might just burn ur bum!

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#147

illustration of a plus-size girl sharpening the ax

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Robbie Quattrocchi
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what I love about her. She's a farm girl who just does her thing.

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#152

illustration of a plus-size girl looking into the stump

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#154

illustration of a plus-size girl eating sandwitch in the boat

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#158

illustration of a plus-size girl running out of the fire

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Grace Robertson
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hilda should save some leaves for her little outfit - leaves get brittle real fast.

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