Bathing Beauty 

Rolf Armstrong created this portrait of a woman, known as a 'Bathing Beauty', most likely as an illustration for a magazine. The image presents a clear visual code of American beauty ideals in the early to mid-20th century. Armstrong’s work capitalized on the rise of mass media and commercial advertising. These images helped to shape a homogeneous national identity, defining aspirational standards of beauty and lifestyle. The prevalence of such imagery also reflected the institutional history of the art world at the time. Traditional art academies were increasingly challenged by commercial art and design. The popularity of pin-up art demonstrates how cultural values can infiltrate artistic production. It prompts questions about the power dynamics at play when art serves commercial interests and reinforces specific notions of beauty. Historical research into popular magazines, advertising campaigns, and cultural studies of gender and representation can provide a better understanding of the image.