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.

Creator: Alberto Vargas

Alberto Vargas Original Signed 1928 Limited Edition Print 2/20

$2,600

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 Prints

Materials

Wood, Paper

"Nita Naldi" Lithograph by Alberto Vargas

$680Sale Price|20% Off

"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

Materials

Paper

Yoshitoshi Mori Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Stencil Print, 1969

$1,795

H 29 in W 27 in D 0.75 in

Yoshitoshi Mori Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Stencil Print, 1969

By Yoshitoshi Mori

Located in Studio City, CA

A large, earthly toned, dramatically composed print, with just the right touch of humor, is by Japanese master printmaker Yoshitoshi Mori who was famed ...

Category

1960s Japanese Showa Vintage Alberto Vargas Prints

Materials

Paper

Alberto Giacometti Framed Black and White Limited Lithograph "Annette", 1964

$1,245

H 25.5 in W 23 in D 1.5 in

Alberto Giacometti Framed Black and White Limited Lithograph "Annette", 1964

By Alberto Giacometti

Located in Studio City, CA

A wonderful sketched lithograph by famed Swiss artists/sculptor Alberto Giacometti. The lithograph was printed in Paris by Mourlot Freres in 1964 and was issued in an edition of ...

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1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alberto Vargas Prints

Materials

Paper

Kiyoshi Saito Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print Bisyamonten, Kyoto

$1,695

H 24 in W 29.25 in D 1.25 in

Kiyoshi Saito Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print Bisyamonten, Kyoto

By Kiyoshi Saitō

Located in Studio City, CA

A beautifully designed and composed woodblock print by famed Japanese printmaker Kiyoshi Saito. Many consider Saito to be one of the most important, if not the most important, contem...

Category

1960s Japanese Showa Vintage Alberto Vargas Prints

Materials

Paper

Clifton Karhu Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print "Kamigano"

$2,495

H 21.25 in W 31.5 in D 1 in

Clifton Karhu Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print "Kamigano"

By Clifton Karhu

Located in Studio City, CA

A beautiful, large woodblock print by American master printmaker Clifton Karhu who lived in Japan for over 50 years. Karhu's work gained great e...

Category

20th Century Japanese Showa Alberto Vargas Prints

Materials

Paper

K. Trumpf, Limited Edition Signed Print Titled Levade

$885

H 29.5 in W 24 in D 1 in

K. Trumpf, Limited Edition Signed Print Titled Levade

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Print With Lippezaner Horses And Riders In Vienna Titled "Levade" lower left. Pencil signed lower right, numbered 175/299 lower left. Finely framed in gilt wood. sight 17 x 22 3/4", ...

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Alberto Vargas Prints

Materials

Paper, Glass, Wood

Large Framed Lithograph by Tony Friedlaender

$1,900

H 31 in W 26 in D 2 in

Large Framed Lithograph by Tony Friedlaender

By Frederic Weinberg

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Large Framed Lithograph by Tony Friedlaender. Signed and numbered 44/95. Nicely framed over canvas.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alberto Vargas Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Abstract Expressionist Lithograph by Martha Zelt

$1,800

H 20.25 in W 25.5 in D 1 in

Abstract Expressionist Lithograph by Martha Zelt

Located in Atlanta, GA

Abstract expressionist lithograph by Martha Zelt, American, circa 1950s. An outstanding black and white abstract expressionist lithograph by w...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alberto Vargas Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Large Framed Lithograph by Tony Friedlaender

$1,900

H 31 in W 26 in D 2 in

Large Framed Lithograph by Tony Friedlaender

By Frederic Weinberg

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Large framed lithograph by Tony Friedlaender. Signed and numbered 44/95. Nicely framed over canvas.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alberto Vargas Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Marti Somers — "6 Limes Juggling" Signed Limited Edition Print (103/195)

$350

H 35 in W 23 in D 0 in

Marti Somers — "6 Limes Juggling" Signed Limited Edition Print (103/195)

Located in San Carlos, CA

Add a touch of whimsical sophistication to your collection with this enchanting limited-edition print by acclaimed contemporary artist Marti Somers. Titled 6 Limes Juggling, the piec...

Category

2010s American Modern Alberto Vargas Prints

Materials

Paper

Large Framed Lithograph by Tony Friedlaender

$1,900

H 31 in W 26 in D 2 in

Large Framed Lithograph by Tony Friedlaender

By Frederic Weinberg

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Large framed lithograph by Tony Friedlaender. Signed and numbered 44/95. Nicely framed over canvas.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alberto Vargas Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Frank Romero "Cheech's Downtown" Giclee Print Limited Edition Signed (9/190)

$675

H 21 in W 25.5 in D 0.39 in

Frank Romero "Cheech's Downtown" Giclee Print Limited Edition Signed (9/190)

By Frank Romero

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Limited Giclee print by L. A. Chicano Artist Frank Romero. This print is numbered and signed by the artist from a limited edition of 190. Size: 26.25" x 21". This cityscape entitled ...

Category

2010s American Post-Modern Alberto Vargas Prints

Materials

Paper

"Bathers" by John E. Costigan, Original Limited Edition Signed Etching

$1,245

H 12 in W 17.25 in D 0.1 in

"Bathers" by John E. Costigan, Original Limited Edition Signed Etching

By John Edward Costigan

Located in New York, NY

This original, limited edition etching, was realized by the esteemed American artist John E. Costigan, circa 1930. He is represented in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum, th...

Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Alberto Vargas Prints

Materials

Paper

Previously Available Items

'Memories of Olive" Deluxe Lithograph by Alberto Vargas

Sold

H 39 in W 31 in

'Memories of Olive" Deluxe Lithograph by Alberto Vargas

By Alberto Vargas

Located in Bellport, NY

"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...

Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Alberto Vargas Prints

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.