Alberto Vargas (Peruvian/American, 1896-1982). Tale of Mystery, 1926. Watercolor on board. 20 x 15 inches (50.8 x 38.1 c...

Description

Alberto Vargas (Peruvian/American, 1896-1982)
Tale of Mystery, 1926
Watercolor on board
20 x 15 inches (50.8 x 38.1 cm) (sheet)
Signed lower right: Vargas
Bears inscription and date on the reverse: 1926- A Tale of Mystery

The Vargas Trust Collection

This vibrant and beautiful example by Alberto Vargas is an exploration into the world of pulp art with its clear story line, dramatic composition, and eye-catching palette. However, it reveals more than just an exploration into another illustration art avenue but also an exploration into other artist's styles and techniques. Often illustration artists are seen separate from fine artists, but artists in large cities such as New York tend to know each other - they attend the same exhibits, drink frequent the same cafes, and laugh at the same bars. They build a scene.

In Tale of Mystery you can clearly this cross pollination - the beautiful art deco lights to the right of the composition are reminiscent of Vasily Kandinsky's Circles or Sonia Delauney's Rhythm Colour. They speak to the play of rhythmic geometric designs and primary colors that are a hallmark to the art deco movement. The male figure evokes J.C.Leyendecker's Arrow Collar Man with top hat, tails, and chiseled jaw. The stylized female figure suggests artists like Erté and George Lepape, both of whom worked alongside Vargas for the Ziegfeld Follies.


More information about Alberto Vargas. See also: Vargas, Alberto Artist.



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