Along with Alberto Vargas, George Petty is one of the best known and most respected of the pin-up artists. Petty was born in Abbeville, Louisiana in 1894 and after the family moved to Chicago Petty started working in his father's photography studio. After graduating from high school Petty travelled to Paris to study at the Académie Julian under Jean-Paul Laurens. Petty then returned to Chicago, working as a photo retoucher for a local printing company.

By the early 20's Petty was working as a freelance artist, painting calendar girls and covers for The Household magazine. It wasn't until 1926 that Petty opened his first studio in Chicago, by which time his client list had grown enormously.

George Petty is best remembered for his pin-up creation 'The Petty Girl', an American icon that lasted from 1933 to 1956. The Petty Girl was origionaly based on Petty's wife, although like Vargas and many artist's after him, Petty usually combined the best features from a variety of models. He also often shrunk the head and elongated the torso and legs to heighten the effect. The Petty Girl started life in Esquire magazine in the Autumn of 1933, however she soon spread to advertisments, calendars and film posters. Petty left Esquire in 1940, soon after they had hired Vargas, however he continued to work well into the 70's for companies like 'True' Calendars and the 'Ridgid Tool Company'. George Petty died on July 21st, 1975, in San Pedro, California.

The following images are for the most part 'Petty Girls' from the 30's to the 50's and they're best viewed in 16 bit colour. Simply click on the thumbnail image to view.