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Alberto Vargas

Peruvian, 1896-1982
Alberto Vargas (1896-1982) was born in Arequipa, Peru, in 1896, the son of a successful photographer, and was educated in Switzerland. Arriving in New York in 1916, he was determined to stay in America and pursue what became an illustrious career. His name has become synonymous with pin-up girls, but in the early 1940s, he was just a guy hired by Esquire magazine to imitate departed star George Petty, who bolted over pay. Vargas initially aped Petty's sleek women with their telephone posing and large-hat lounging; soon, however, his own distinctive, delicate watercolor style emerged. His wide-eyed wonder- women rivaled Betty Grable as the ultimate pin-up girl of World War II. Vargas, who signed his Esquire work "Varga", had already achieved some notoriety for his Ziegfeld Follies and movie poster art. But Esquire made him famous, though he was paid poorly and, like Petty, eventually quit. Legal problems over ownership of his work, even of his own signature, plagued him. But late in his life, Vargas was given a second shot at fame and fortune by longtime fan Hugh Hefner. His regular Playboy slot in the 1960s and '70s elevated Vargas to a pinnacle eclipsing Petty. One of the true giants of American illustration, Alberto Vargas has created an art style so sensuous, so exquisite, that for the past six decades his magnificent paintings of women have come to embody the fantasies of three generations of women and men around the world. His work also appeared in Harper's Bazaar, Theatre Magazine, and Tattler. He died in December 1982.
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Rare 1944 Full Deck of Esquire Varga Arrco Blonde Pin-Up WWII Playing Cards
Rare 1944 Full Deck of Esquire Varga Arrco Blonde Pin-Up WWII Playing Cards

Rare 1944 Full Deck of Esquire Varga Arrco Blonde Pin-Up WWII Playing Cards

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Red Lion, PA

Step back into the Golden Age of American Pin-Up and World War II history with this exceptionally rare, complete 1944 deck of Esquire Varga Pin-Up Playing Cards. Manufactured by the ...

Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Alberto Vargas

Materials

Paper

Alberto Vargas Original Signed 1928 Limited Edition Print 2/20
Alberto Vargas Original Signed 1928 Limited Edition Print 2/20

Alberto Vargas Original Signed 1928 Limited Edition Print 2/20

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Forest Grove, PA

An early 1928 limited edition print by Alberto Vargas, number 2 of 20. The image area is 29 1/2" by 19.25". The print has not been examined outside of the frame, the frame will be to...

Category

1920s Art Deco Vintage Alberto Vargas

Materials

Wood, Paper

From the Vargas Portfolio
From the Vargas Portfolio

From the Vargas Portfolio

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Missouri, MO

From the Vargas Portfolio **Portfolio Cover Not Included** Lithograph Only Alberto Vargas (1896-1982) was born in Arequipa, Peru, in 1896, the son of...

Category

20th Century Realist Alberto Vargas

Materials

Lithograph

From the Vargas Portfolio
From the Vargas Portfolio

From the Vargas Portfolio

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Missouri, MO

From the Vargas Portfolio **Portfolio Cover Not Included** Lithograph Only Alberto Vargas (1896-1982) was born in Arequipa, Peru, in 1896, the son of...

Category

20th Century Realist Alberto Vargas

Materials

Lithograph

From the Vargas Portfolio
From the Vargas Portfolio

From the Vargas Portfolio

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Missouri, MO

From the Vargas Portfolio **Portfolio Cover Not Included** Lithograph Only Alberto Vargas (1896-1982) was born in Arequipa, Peru, in 1896, the son of...

Category

20th Century Realist Alberto Vargas

Materials

Lithograph

Glorifying The American Girl
Glorifying The American Girl

Glorifying The American Girl

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Fort Washington, PA

Medium: Watercolor, Ink and Appliqués on Board Signature: Signed Lower Right Sight Size 16.00" x 12.00", Framed 26.00" x 22.00" Glorifying The American Girl...

Category

1920s Other Art Style Alberto Vargas

Materials

Ink, Watercolor, Board

"Nita Naldi" Lithograph by Alberto Vargas
"Nita Naldi" Lithograph by Alberto Vargas

"Nita Naldi" Lithograph by Alberto Vargas

By Alberto Vargas

Located in San Diego, CA

Unframed "Nita Naldi" lithograph by Alberto Vargas, circa 1979. The print is in good vintage condition and mesures 21" x 29". #2215 With her green feline eyes, "Nita Naldi," Ziegf...

Category

20th Century North American Alberto Vargas

Materials

Paper

C 20th Portrait of Female Nude by Hollywood favourite Vargas: 'Reclining Nude'
C 20th Portrait of Female Nude by Hollywood favourite Vargas: 'Reclining Nude'

C 20th Portrait of Female Nude by Hollywood favourite Vargas: 'Reclining Nude'

By Alberto Vargas

Located in London, GB

Alberto Vargas was a Peruvian artist best known for his drawings and paintings of pin-up girls that were featured in many notable publications in the 20th century including Esquire a...

Category

Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas

Materials

Pencil

Seductive Platinum Blond Hair and Blue Eyed Pin Up in Turquoise Hat
Seductive Platinum Blond Hair and Blue Eyed Pin Up in Turquoise Hat

Seductive Platinum Blond Hair and Blue Eyed Pin Up in Turquoise Hat

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Miami, FL

Study of a sultry and seductive reclining platinum blond Pin Up with a wide-brimmed sun hat. Most likely done for Playboy. This work is very finely rendered and looks better the ...

Category

1960s American Realist Alberto Vargas

Materials

Watercolor, Pencil

From the Vargas Portfolio
From the Vargas Portfolio

From the Vargas Portfolio

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Missouri, MO

From the Vargas Portfolio **Portfolio Cover Not Included** Lithograph Only Alberto Vargas (1896-1982) was born in Arequipa, Peru, in 1896, the son of...

Category

20th Century Realist Alberto Vargas

Materials

Lithograph

The Best People, Original Promotional Movie Illustration
The Best People, Original Promotional Movie Illustration

The Best People, Original Promotional Movie Illustration

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Fort Washington, PA

Medium: Watercolor and Ink on Board with Collage Signature: Unsigned Sight Size 16.25" x 11.75;" Framed 24.00" x 19.00" Circa 1925 This illustration was utilized as a movie poster a...

Category

1920s Alberto Vargas

Materials

Ink, Watercolor, Board

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Previously Available Items
From the Vargas Portfolio
From the Vargas Portfolio

From the Vargas Portfolio

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Missouri, MO

From the Vargas Portfolio **Portfolio Cover Not Included** Lithograph Only Alberto Vargas (1896-1982) was born in Arequipa, Peru, in 1896, the son of...

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20th Century Realist Alberto Vargas

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Lithograph

From the Vargas Portfolio
From the Vargas Portfolio

From the Vargas Portfolio

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Missouri, MO

From the Vargas Portfolio **Portfolio Cover Not Included** Lithograph Only Alberto Vargas (1896-1982) was born in Arequipa, Peru, in 1896, the son of...

Category

20th Century Realist Alberto Vargas

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NITA NALDI
NITA NALDI

NITA NALDI

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Aventura, FL

Hand signed 'Vargas' and numbered by proxy, not the artist. Lithograph on rives. From the edition of 500. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity is included....

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1970s Contemporary Alberto Vargas

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SCHEHERAZADE
SCHEHERAZADE

Alberto VargasSCHEHERAZADE, 1979

Sold

H 29 in W 21 in D 1 in

SCHEHERAZADE

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Aventura, FL

Hand signed 'Vargas' and numbered by proxy, not the artist. Lithograph on rives. From the edition of 500. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity is included....

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1970s Contemporary Alberto Vargas

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MARILYN MONROE
MARILYN MONROE

MARILYN MONROE

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Hand signed 'Vargas' and numbered by proxy, not the artist. Lithograph on rives. From the edition of 500. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity is included....

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Blonde Pin-up in Sheer Black Leotard

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'Memories of Olive"  Deluxe Lithograph  by Alberto Vargas

'Memories of Olive" Deluxe Lithograph by Alberto Vargas

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"Memories of Olive" from the personal estate of Alberto Vargas. An elegant and stunning large piece with pearlescent sheen. Sexy with style. Olive (sister-in law of Douglas Fairbanks...

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1930s American Art Deco Vintage Alberto Vargas

Alberto Vargas art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Alberto Vargas art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Alberto Vargas in lithograph, paint, watercolor and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Alberto Vargas art, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Eileen Soper, Mark Jenkins, and Samuel Palmer (b.1805). Alberto Vargas art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $500 and tops out at $32,000, while the average work can sell for $981.

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