Cosmopolitan Magazine: What Were the Covers Like in the 1920s-1940s

Cosmopolitan magazine, from its first issues, was more than just an illustrated magazine. Starting in 1886, the year of its creation, it was positioned as a family magazine, later it became a literary magazine. And only in the late 1960s it became a women's magazine.

In the 1920s-1940s, Cosmopolitan covers became iconic, reflecting the cultural values ​​and aesthetic trends of their time.

In the 1920s, the world faced serious economic difficulties, but the Cosmopolitan covers of this period reflected the desire for beauty and escapism. The themes and visual images focused on the idea of ​​​​glamor and romance as a way to escape from the harsh reality. The women on the covers looked elegant and perfect, with sophisticated makeup and hairstyles.

These illustrations were created by artists such as Harrison Fisher and Arthur William Brown, who drew female images with emphasized grace, attractive beauty and mystery. This style formed the image of the "modern woman", who, despite economic difficulties, remained elegant and self-confident.

The peculiarity of the covers of the 1920s was that they began to form the image of a woman who could combine a career, personal life and social obligations. This was expressed in the change of poses and costumes: the heroines of the covers not only posed in evening dresses, but also looked active and self-confident.

With the beginning of World War II, the covers of Cosmopolitan changed, reflecting the patriotic mood. Women depicted on the covers of the 1940s wore military uniforms or work clothes, personifying the spirit of that time. They became symbols of support for the army and demonstrated that women, too, had contributed to the fight for victory. Their images were filled with determination, and often their poses expressed a willingness to work, rather than just glamour.

These covers inspired millions of women who were forced to take on previously unaccustomed responsibilities, replacing men in factories and other industries.

These images became a symbol of the "patriotic woman", and Cosmopolitan offered its own vision of a new, strong feminine ideal. They were illustrated by artists of the time - George Petterson and Edward Rankin, who emphasized this new, more active and masculine femininity.

The magazine's covers from the 1920s to the 1940s used painterly illustrations, done in soft pastels and warm colors, which distinguished them from the brighter and more flashy covers of the post-war period.

The images of the 1920s were characterized by smooth lines and sophistication, while in the 1940s they acquired a more edgy character, emphasizing the seriousness of the times. These images were a kind of artistic chronicle, which traced changes in society and the place of women in it.