Bent On Pleasing You
Enoch Bolles (1883 – 1976) painting titled “Bent On Pleasing You!” captures a captivating moment that blends elegance with playfulness. Bolles, an iconic American illustrator and pin-up artist, was known for his sensual yet tasteful depictions of women in the early 20th century. The painting features a reclining female figure, placed in an almost theatrical pose, which is characteristic of the pin-up art style for which Bolles is well-known. Through the artist’s delicate brushwork and subtle use of color, he creates a sense of flirtation, beauty, and charm that was intended to captivate and amuse the viewer.
Table of Contents
Main Subject and Composition
At the center of the composition is a woman with dark, voluminous hair cascading over her shoulders, her gaze directed towards the viewer. Her posture is both alluring and playful, bending backward in a languid curve that exudes confidence and grace. Her facial expression is one of cheerful seduction, with a broad smile that enhances the painting’s lighthearted tone. The woman’s attire is minimal, consisting of a golden yellow, translucent garment that drapes sensuously around her body. The choice of this warm color draws attention to the curves of her form, highlighting the contours of her body while remaining within the constraints of modesty, a key feature of the pin-up style.
The woman is kneeling on the ground with her right leg bent and her left leg stretched out in front of her. Her left hand holds a tambourine, which seems almost like a prop that complements the overall playful and musical vibe of the piece. The tambourine itself is brightly colored, with red, yellow, and orange accents, adding vibrancy to the scene and contrasting beautifully with the soft hues of the background. The woman’s pose, coupled with her expression, embodies the essence of femininity and flirtation, common themes in Bolles’ works.
Objects and Details
There are a few key objects in the artwork, each carefully placed to contribute to the scene’s overall sense of movement and rhythm. The tambourine, which she holds in her left hand, is central to the composition. The circular shape of the tambourine complements the curve of the woman’s back and her body’s graceful lines. The tambourine’s intricate design, with its metal jingles and vibrant colors, adds a tactile element to the painting. It suggests not only music but also a sense of joy, carefree spirit, and spontaneity.
The background of the piece is relatively simple, consisting mainly of soft pastel colors, creating a harmonious backdrop that allows the figure of the woman to stand out. The fluidity of the background complements the woman’s posture and the overall fluidity of the composition. The muted tones of the background also enhance the gold and yellow colors of her attire, making the figure appear luminous and almost ethereal against the softer pastel tones.
Terrain and Setting
The setting of the painting is unclear, with no clear indication of a specific place or environment. The absence of a detailed backdrop emphasizes the figure and her pose, allowing the viewer to focus entirely on her expression and form. The setting could be interpreted as a dreamlike or fantasy space, one that is not bound by the constraints of reality. The lack of a defined space or terrain further strengthens the surreal quality of the work, allowing the viewer to engage with the subject without distraction.
Bolles’ ability to evoke an almost fantastical mood through a minimalistic setting shows his mastery in focusing on the emotional and visual aspects of his subjects. The figure, although not grounded in a specific place, feels very much alive, existing in a world of her own creation—a world of lightheartedness, charm, and allure.
Style and Technique
Bolles was an accomplished artist known for his involvement in the pin-up genre during the 1920s and 1930s, and “Bent On Pleasing You!” exemplifies the key elements of this artistic movement. The painting exudes a soft and polished aesthetic, with smooth contours, delicate details, and a sense of idealized beauty.
The colors are vibrant yet controlled, reflecting the optimism and playful spirit of the time. Bolles’ use of light and shadow is particularly effective in bringing out the form of the woman, emphasizing her curves and the flowing fabric of her attire. The shadows on her skin and the soft highlights on her hair give the figure depth, creating a lifelike quality that is balanced with the painting’s idealized portrayal of beauty.
In terms of composition, Bolles adheres to the principles of symmetry and balance, which were integral to the pin-up style. The woman’s posture and the placement of her tambourine create a sense of rhythmic flow, while the interplay of light and color ensures that the focus remains on her. The use of space around her further emphasizes her presence, drawing the viewer’s attention to her expression and form. Bolles’ use of perspective is subtle, reinforcing the sense of movement and fluidity within the piece.
Theme and Mood
The mood of the painting is playful, flirtatious, and seductive, yet it maintains an air of innocence and charm. The woman’s joyful expression, combined with the light colors and simple setting, evokes a sense of carefree elegance. The title “Bent On Pleasing You!” reflects the spirit of the artwork—one of self-assuredness and playful seduction, but without crossing into overt sensuality. The painting encapsulates the idealized femininity of the time, combining beauty, confidence, and an undeniable allure.
The theme of the painting can be interpreted as a celebration of femininity and the power of charm. The woman’s posture and expression suggest a sense of empowerment, as if she is aware of her allure and is confidently offering it to the viewer. This representation of women as both strong and playful was a defining characteristic of the pin-up art genre, and Bolles, with his refined technique and sense of style, captured this balance effortlessly.
Conclusion
Enoch Bolles’ “Bent On Pleasing You!” is a prime example of early 20th-century American pin-up art, characterized by its sensuality, charm, and lightheartedness. The painting’s subject—an alluring, confident woman posed in a playful, almost theatrical manner—captures the viewer’s attention and transports them to a world of beauty and joy. Through his masterful use of color, composition, and mood, Bolles creates a timeless piece that reflects the ideals of femininity and flirtation that defined the pin-up genre.
This is a retouched digital art old masters reproduction of a public domain image.
This digital art creation, as with all the artwork that can be found on the Xzendor7 website is available for purchase online in a variety of material formats including canvas prints, acrylic prints, metal prints, wood prints, framed prints, posters, and as rolled canvas prints in a variety of sizes from 12 inches to 72 inches depending on the size of the actual artwork and the print on demand shop you choose to buy the art from.
The artwork is also available on a broad range of men’s and women’s apparel, mugs, totes, scarfs, notebooks and journals and many home decor products.
Artist Bio
Info Below Derived From Wikipedia.org
Enoch was born to perfume chemist Enoch Bolles, Jr and Catherine Keep in Marion County, Florida on March 3, 1883.
He studied at the New York National Academy of Design (est. 1825), and published his first illustration on the covers of humor magazines; Judge and Puck in 1914; becoming best known for illustrating the pulp magazine Film Fun.
Then in 1923 he became the exclusive cover artist for Film Magazine and would continue in that position until 1943, when the magazine became a victim of the then Postmaster General’s campaign against salacious material.
During Enoch’s time with Film Fun Magazine he created 200 pieces cover art, and at least 300 additional covers for other spicy pulp magazines, including Breezy Stories, Pep and New York Nights.
Enoch’s monthly lineup of the All-American Beauty precisely posed in imaginative costume is responsible for defining the art of American Pin Up Illustration. He was also a versatile illustrator that created advertising art for many products of the time such as Sun-Maid Raisins and Zippo Lighters.
At the age of 60, in 1943 Enoch had to end is professional career due to psychological problems, and was confined him to Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in New Jersey for most of the rest of his life; but he continued to paint commissioned portraits and for personal enjoyment.
He was eventually released from the Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in 1969 and he passed away seven years later of heart failure at the age of 93.
