Lamplight Tiffany 2013

Robert McGinnis, born in 1926, painted this unnamed work in an unrecorded year and with an unknown medium. The woman has the tall slender figure of a model, yet her gaze seems to imply she is empowered and self-aware. To understand this image, we must consider the cultural context of pin-up art and the evolving role of women in American society. Was it made for a magazine, a novel, or a private collection? What were the prevailing social attitudes toward female sexuality at the time? The presence of the Tiffany lamp alludes to wealth and consumerism. What kind of institutional or political forces helped create this market for luxury? This image both reflects and participates in the changing social and cultural landscape of the United States. To understand it better, we could research McGinnis’ other works. We could look at related ephemera, periodicals, and other commercial art from the time period. It is in this way that art history can offer insights into the complex interplay between art, commerce, and culture.