Five Interpretations Of A Young Model, 1938

 

                                                Ann Gutkin, 26, model featured in Life magazine in 1938

Life magazine covered all the visual bases back in the day. International photojournalism was the mainstay of the publication, but occasionally a few pages were dedicated to artists and models. This model, Ann Gutkin, lived in Greenwich Village which even then was fairly Bohemian. Five New York artists were commissioned to create impressions of her make-up free appearance.  

Alexander Brook gives Ann doe eyes and portrays her as if she is deciding what to wear (or not wear) to the next big Bacchanalian shindig she'll be attending

Jerry Farnsworth's painting of Ann is more restrained, and looks a bit stiff, which may have been the result of a not-so-comfortable pose.

Leon Kroll added a somewhat gratuitous heart in the small of Ann's back and titled this painting Ann in White Scarf.

Ann Brockman added a few pounds to Ann's frame and placed her outdoors near the ol' swimming hole, swimsuits optional

Robert Brackman had Ann pose with a water pitcher while standing behind his wife Frances, who is posed as if she was considering a refill.