Description: This WWII style pin-up is perfect for a themed room, a den, a bedroom or, as we had, displayed on the wall of our bed and breakfast. Elegantly framed in gloss-black, she was always a conversation piece. Purchased in the early 1990s at a touring show of pin up art, this was easily the most exciting of all of the items available. While the history of this particular work was explained to us by the exhibitor, that's long since been forgotten -- but an identical work confirmed my 30-year-old memories. This was made in 1986 by Black Box Litho of Chicago and displayed in our smoke-free home. Both the print, the frame, and the backing are like new. The framed piece measures 34 1/2" x 25 1/2" with the visible image measuring 31 1/2" x 22 1/2". You'll see in the close-ups that a slight wave -- like an art nouveau style -- adds texture to the background and 'Varga' is seen descending vertically on the right side. Her eyes are spectacular and you can't look at her without smiling. This has everything you desire in a Vargas image: She is trying on black full fashioned seamed stockings, she has a flirtatious and humorous look, and the blend of colors against the black backdrop makes this image pop. Just look for yourself. As far as the artist, here's a bio: Alberto Vargas (1896-1982) was born in Arequipa, Peru, in 1896, the son of a successful photographer, and was educated in Paris and London. 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 hired by Esquire magazine to replace George Petty. Vargas had his own distinctive, delicate watercolor style developed when working for Florence Ziegfeld follies and Hollywood Studios in the 1920s and 30s. emerged. His wide-eyed beauties were from his personal connections to many stars and starlets of the time, even 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 underpaid paid and eventually quit on a contract dispute of unpaid royalties. Legal problems over ownership of the brand "Varga" which was a brand owned by Esquire/Hearst Publishing was resolved as owned by Esquire. 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. 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 many Movie posters. He died in December 1982, 8 years after the love of his life, Anna May. They were married for 45 years.
Price: 599 USD
Location: Leesburg, Florida
End Time: 2025-02-04T21:55:14.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Artist: Alberto Vargas, Varga
Unit of Sale: Single Piece
Size: Medium (up to 36in.)
Date of Creation: 1986
Region of Origin: Black Box Litho, Chicago, Ill. USA
Framing: Framed
Year of Production: 1986
Width (Inches): 23
Item Height: 32 in
Style: Art Deco, MODERN MID CENTURY
Features: Sign in art Print, Signed
Unit Quantity: 1
Handmade: No
Item Width: 23 in
Culture: Modern Midcentury Illustration
Time Period Produced: 1980-1989
Image Orientation: Portrait
Signed: No
Title: Cover Girl
Period: Art Deco (1920-1940)
Material: Art paper
Original/Licensed Reprint: Limited Edition Print
Subject: Figure Art Deco Martini, ALBERTO VARGAS, GLAMOUR ART, FULL FASHIONED SEAMED STOCKINGS, PINUP, ILLUSTRATION ART, FASHION GLAMOUR, 1930S ART DECO, Esquire, WWII PINUP, VARGA GIRLS
Print Surface: Simi Gloss finish Art Paper
Type: LITHOGRAPH
Height (Inches): 32
Theme: Art
Production Technique: Lithography
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
