Pinups like the Page Three Girl and the Playboy Centerfold have been around a lot longer than many people would expect. It’s not just a modern phenomenon.
See an entertaining, rough, article here which explores some of the basic history . . . albeit, abridging much of the of cultural context.
Topless pin-ups appeared 400 years ago. And queens of England led the way by baring their breasts in court circles. Of course, the camera had not yet been invented. But in early-day versions of Ye Soaraway Sunne, craftsmen carved wooden print blocks showing Page Three Wenches baring their breasts. The popular publications were called ballads — 17th century song sheets which reported and commented on current events . . . . Unlike classical paintings that often depicted the nude female form, these woodcut prints were downright saucy. They were inspired by two Queens who exposed their own boobs. Charles I’s wife Henrietta Maria had a nipple-revealing dress specially designed by celebrity architect Inigo Jones. Later her husband went topless too — when Oliver Cromwell cut off his head. Mary II, who jointly reigned with Dutch-born husband William of Orange after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, was often shown topless. Professor Angela McShane Jones, 40, of Warwick University, said yesterday: “In the 17th century it was fairly common for women to bare their breasts in public. “The fashions were initiated by court members and queens, then replicated by ordinary women and common prostitutes. “Rather than demeaning women, 17th century fashion could be empowering. “The extremely low-cut dresses were designed to encourage men to look but not to touch. They empowered some women to use their sexuality.” Famous diarist Samuel Pepys collected more than 2,000 ballads . . . . Professor McShane said: “In the 17th century, publishers who were out to make a profit produced ballads for a highly competitive print market. “Ballads with woodcuts were double the price of those without and had to be constantly updated. “Pictures of buxom women could be a selling point for a male audience — and a female one too if they described the latest fashions. “It is noticeable that there are more busty ballads in the large collection made by Samuel Pepys than any other collection. “It is hard not to suspect that there may have been a certain preference in his ballad buying.”
Just as today, then . . . women’s fashions were dictated by a small group of elite. Perhaps it might be nice for a resurgence of style of this type . . . the classic traditional look . . . of course, I might suggest going further back for some contemporary fashion inspiration . . . I say, let’s go back to the minoan period for some wonderful women’s fashion ideas . . . see the statue above right.
