Alberto Vargas Prints
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.to
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Creator: Alberto Vargas
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 11x17
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: Title unknown. Playboy pin-up illustration from July, 1974
Desription: Partially Nude Woman dressed as George Washington
Hand Signed by Artist: Yes, low...
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Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
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Paper
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 11x17
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: Title unknown.
Desription: Nude reclining woman
Hand Signed by Artist: Yes, lower right hand corner.
Medium: Lithograph on Paper.
Art Dimensions: 11" ...
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Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
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Paper
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 11x17
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: Title unknown. Playboy pin-up illustration from December, 1974
Desription: Scantily clad blonde woman, bent over in seductive pose
Hand Signed by Artist...
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Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
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Paper
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 17x11
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: A Bride (1965)
Desription: Partially Clad Strawberry Blonde woman in slim black pants
Hand Signed by Artist: Yes, lower left hand corner.
Medium: Lithog...
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Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
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Paper
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 11x17
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: "Not Afraid of Getting Burned"
Desription: Topless blonde reclined on a beach blanket in the sand
Hand Signed by Artist: Yes, lower left hand corner.
Me...
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Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
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"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...
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20th Century North American Alberto Vargas Prints
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Paper
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 17x11
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: Blonde Senorita
Desription: Scantilly clad woman holding a black hat
Hand Signed by Artist: Yes, lower left hand corner.
Medium: Lithograph on Paper.
A...
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Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
Materials
Paper
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 17x11
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: Title unknown. Playboy pin-up illustration from November, 1972
Desription: Woman with long blonde hair wearing long sheer coverlet
Hand Signed by Artis...
Category
Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
Materials
Paper
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 17x11
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: Title unknown. Playboy pin-up illustration from August, 1961
Desription: Short-haired Brunette in yellow suit
Hand Signed by Artist: Yes, lower left han...
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Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
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Paper
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 17x11
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: Nude with Lily Flower
Desription: Upper part Blonde lady with lily covering breast
Hand Signed by Artist: Yes, lower left hand corner.
Medium: Lithograp...
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Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
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Paper
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 17x11
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: Title unknown. Playboy pin-up illustration from October, 1966
Desription: Woman wearing 2 piece silver pant set with 2 Afghan Hounds
Hand Signed by Arti...
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Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
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Paper
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 17x11
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: Title unknown. Esquire calendar illustration, February 1946
Desription: Long-haired red head woman in sheer one-piece
Hand Signed by Artist: Yes, lower ...
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Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
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Paper
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 11x17
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: Title unknown. Playboy pin-up illustration from 1953
Desription: Blonde woman dressed in sheer black outfit, riding a broom with a Jack o' Lantern
Hand ...
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Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
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Paper
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 17x11
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: Pirate Vargas Girl
Desription: Brunette in sexy pirate costume
Hand Signed by Artist: Yes, lower left hand corner.
Medium: Lithograph on Paper.
Art Dim...
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Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
Materials
Paper
Alberto Vargas Hand Signed Pin-Up Girl Print, Pinup, Pin Up, 11x17
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Oakwood, GA
Artist: Alberto Vargas
Title: Title unknown.
Desription: Short haired brunette lady outstretched in black one piece.
Hand Signed by Artist: Yes, lower right hand corner.
Medium: Lit...
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Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Prints
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Paper
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Alberto Vargas prints for sale on 1stDibs.
Alberto Vargas prints are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of paper and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Alberto Vargas prints, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider prints by Herman Roderick Volz, Wassily Kandinsky, and Charles "Snaffles" Johnson Payne. Prices for Alberto Vargas prints can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $850 and can go as high as $850, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $850.