Earl Moran

Earl Steffa Moran was born in Belle Plaine, Iowa, in December 1893. Like many of his contempories Moran studied at the Chicago Art Institute, while at the same time working for a large engraving house which specialised in men's fashion illustrations. Moran studied in Chicago for two years before moving on to Manhattan where he enrolled at the Art Students League.

In 1931 he moved back to Chicago and opened a small studio, specialising in photography and illustration. In 1932 he signed an exclusive contract with Brown and Bigelow. Unlike Elvgren and others, Moran did not continually re-work one type of situation, and his pin-ups have more variety than any other major contributor to the field. His most enduring pin-ups feature his famous late '40s model, Marilyn Monroe.

Cover Art from Beauty Parade Magazine - October 1941

Cover Art from Beauty Parade Magazine - July 1943

Cover Art from Eyeful Magazine - March 1943