3 pinup illustrations possibly for a calendar, circa 1950. Gouache and pencil on board. All 190x210 mm; 7½x8¼ inches (image), on 9x12-inch board. Initialed on all three, "J. F. S."
J. Frederick Smith began his career at the Charles E. Cooper Studio in 1938, where he quickly gained recognition for his interior illustrations in prominent magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Home Companion, and Cosmopolitan. His talent caught the attention of Esquire magazine in 1952, leading to his recruitment as a pinup artist for Esquire's monthly issues. He also designed covers for Esquire and its sister publication, Coronet. His pinup illustrations also became a staple of Brown & Bigelow calendars during the 1950s.
In 1956, Smith began transitioning to photography, although he continued producing painted illustrations for magazines well into the 1980s. He was married to fellow artist Sheilah Beckett, the first woman illustrator hired by the Cooper Studio, and frequent model for his work.
