thumb|Armstrong in his studio, with one of his so-called "Armstrong Girls" in the background. (1930)

thumb|Armstrong in the process of painting [[Rudy Vallée. (1929)]]

Rolf Armstrong (April 21, 1889 – February 22, 1960) was an American commercial artist specializing in glamorous depictions of female subjects. He is best known for his magazine covers and calendar art. In 1960 the New York Times dubbed him the “creator of the calendar girl.” His commercial career extended from 1912 to 1960, the great majority of his original work being done in pastel.

Personal life

Rolf Armstrong was born John Scott Armstrong in Bay City, Michigan. His parents were Richard and Harriet (Scott) Armstrong. His father owned the Boy-Line and Fire Boat Company, comprising fire boats and passenger ships on the Great Lakes, including one that served the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Due to increasing financial difficulties, the family left Bay City in 1899 and moved to Detroit, Michigan.

Rolf had two brothers and a sister, all at least twenty years older than himself. After his father's death in 1903, Rolf lived for about three years with his eldest brother, William, in Seattle, Washington. There he became close to William's son, Robert Armstrong, who later achieved fame as a film and television actor best known for his role in King Kong (1933). Rolf's brother, Paul, also had a brief but successful career as a New York playwright (1907-1915). This age began with the development of four-color printing in the late 19th century, was fueled by the advent of magazines supported by advertising, and declined after the introduction of color photography in the 1930s.

In a career of almost 50 years, Rolf Armstrong produced over 500 works. He prided himself on the fact that he worked almost exclusively from live models, as opposed to photographic references.

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File:Mary Pickford - White.jpg|White - Light could not be painted without it. No other color can take its place. - Mary Pickford

File:Ann Harding - Lemon Yellow.jpg|Lemon Yellow - The tip of a flame. Pale winter sunlight. - Ann Harding

File:Lupe Velez - Chrome Yellow.jpg|Chrome Yellow - The gypsy color—primitive, elemental. - Lupe Vélez

File:Bebe Daniels - Cadmium Orange.jpg|Cadmium Orange - The glowing combination of red and yellow. - Bebe Daniels

File:Clara Bow - Vermilion.jpg|Vermilion - Vibrant: dominating: dynamic. - Clara Bow

File:Estelle Taylor - Rose Madder.jpg|Rose Madder - Dusky, rich, deep red—color of roses and rubies. - Estelle Taylor

File:Corinne Griffith - Cobalt Violet.jpg|Cobalt Violet - Evocative of fragile, costly, sophisticated femininity. - Corinne Griffith

File:Billie Dove - Cobalt Blue.jpg|Cobalt Blue - Clear, definite, polished blue of enamels. - Billie Dove

File:Nancy Carroll - Willow Green.jpg|Willow Green - Youth. The color of Spring. - Nancy Carroll

File:Vilma Banky - Cerulean Blue.jpg|Cerulean Blue - Smiling, unclouded perfection of summer skies. - Vilma Banky

File:Marion Davies - Emerald Green.jpg|Emerald Green - Gay, vivid, daring—a rollicking, sparkling color. - Marion Davies

File:Mary Brian - Ultramarine Blue.jpg|Ultramarine Blue - Vigorous, direct—color of sunny seas. - Mary Brian

File:Gloria Swanson - Purple.jpg|Purple - The regal color. Fire of red, spiritual range of blues: transparent, yet with the power and depth of dark tones. - Gloria Swanson

File:Eve Southern - Indigo Blue.jpg|Indigo Blue - Mysterious, oriental, dramatic, exotic. - Eve Southern

File:Evelyn Brent - Van Dyke Brown.jpg|Vandyke Brown - The tone of Rembrandt shadows—deep, remote, warm. - Evelyn Brent

File:Greta Garbo - Ivory Black.jpg|Ivory Black - Impenetrable, sombre, yet capable of innumerable variations of beauty. - Greta Garbo

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See also

  • Pin-up girl
  • List of pinup artists
  • Jewel Flowers
  • Uncle of Hollywood Actor Robert Armstrong (actor)

References

Further reading

  • Martignette, Charles G; Meisel, Louis K. The Great American Pin-Up.
  • Stevens, Ben. Rolf Armstrong: The Dream Girls [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1888054034]
  • Rolf Armstrong artwork can be viewed at American Art Archives web site
  • AskArt auction records for Rolf Armstrong art