Alberto Vargas (1896-1982) Original Pin-up Art (c.1952).... (6 items)

Description

Alberto Vargas (1896-1982) Original Pin-up Art (c.1952).
True magazine May, 1952, as full page pin-up. It was accompanied by a feature entitled True Girl by Vargas, showing a photo of Vargas holding the original painting, with the model Jeanne Dean in the identical pose.
This image also appeared on the box of the famous Vargas playing cards (both sides) and as the Jack of spades in that deck. Additionally, it was published as a full page pin-up in Cavalier magazine, a British publication.
Airbrush and watercolor on board, framed (34.5 x 24.5), sight size approximately 26.5 x 17. Signed lower right.
Several examples of the published versions are included.
Provenance: In the summer of 1958 Alberto Vargas was invited by the Peruvian government to exhibit his work in Lima and his home town of Arequipa. This painting was one of the works chosen by Vargas to be featured in the most significant and personal exhibition of his career. As noted by Reid Austin in his book, Vargas (Austin & Vargas), "This was something he [Vargas] had dreamed of for years..." The painting remained in South America until the early 1990s, when it was returned to the United States and was acquired by the consignor.

keywords: illustrator, Esquire artist, Varga, Playboy artist, Americana

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