Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
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
1
1
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
3
1
1
2
1
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
24
808
408
306
282
1
2
1
Artist: Alberto Vargas
C 20th Portrait of Female Nude by Hollywood favourite Vargas: 'Reclining Nude'
By Alberto Vargas
Located in London, GB
Alberto Vargas was a Peruvian artist best known for his drawings and paintings of pin-up girls that were featured in many notable publications in the 20th century including Esquire a...
Category
Late 20th Century Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
Seductive Platinum Blond Hair and Blue Eyed Pin Up in Turquoise Hat
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Miami, FL
Study of a sultry and seductive reclining platinum blond Pin Up with a wide-brimmed sun hat. Most likely done for Playboy. This work is very finely rendered and looks better the ...
Category
1960s American Realist Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
The Best People, Original Promotional Movie Illustration
By Alberto Vargas
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Medium: Watercolor and Ink on Board with Collage
Signature: Unsigned
Sight Size 16.25" x 11.75;" Framed 24.00" x 19.00"
Circa 1925
This illustration was utilized as a movie poster a...
Category
1920s Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink, Watercolor, Board
Related Items
Spartan Warriors (male nude fantasy)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Amazing fantasy group male nude composition by American artist, Robert Frederick Vorreyer (1924-2016). Graphite pencil on paper, image measures 15 x 27 inches; 27.5 x 40.5 inches framed. signed and dated lower right. Excellent condition with no damage or conservation.
VORREYER, Robert Frederick
Robert Frederick Vorreyer (August 25, 1924 - January 27, 2016) was truly a master of graphic media. The power and dynamics of Robert's graphics are in the use of negative space in the skillful rendering of the human form. Handled with great sensitivity and dignity, the figures seem to be alive with a sharpness that challenges the eye of the beholder. Robert was born in Downers Grove, a suburb of Chicago, IL and graduated from the Downers Grove High School with and art scholarship to an accredited college. He attended the University of Illinois, the Brooklyn Museum Art School, the Royal Academy in London as well as studying independently with various artists. Robert was a World War II special service artist in Camp Robinson, AR and eventually became the art director for TLVA Infantry/Airborne School in Fort Benning...
Category
1990s Realist Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pencil
Nude Male Back, Graphite Drawing on Paper, Matted
By Eduardo Alvarado
Located in Chicago, IL
EDUARDO ALVARADO
b. Spain, 1972
EDUCATION
1990-95 Licenciado en BB AA
La Facultad de BB AA de la UPV, Bilbao
La Facultad de BB AA de San Fernando, Madrid
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018 Casa del Libro, Logroño
2016 Casa de Cultura. Miranda de Ebro
2015 Casa de Cultura. Miranda de Ebro
Galería Espiral, Noja
2014 Galerie d´Art Anne Broitman. Biarritz, France
2013 Galería de Arte-Centro Cultural (junto a Vesna Pavlovic). Novi Sad, Serbia
Centro Cultural La Vidriera, Maliaño
The Gallery of Contemporary Fine Arts (junto a Vesna Pavlovic). Nis, Serbia
2012 Gallery Seasons (junto a Vesna Pavlovic). Sofia, Bulgaria
Gallery SKC (junto a Vesna Palovic). Belgrado, Serbia
Manos para qué os quiero. Logroño
Galería Espiral. Feria Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo, Santander
Sala Asociación Artistas de Guipuzcoa (junto a Juan Carlos Cardesín), San Sebastian
2011 Galería Espiral, San Miguel de Meruelo
Galería Jovan Popovic (junto a Vesna Pavlovic). Opovo, Serbia
Galería Veciti Trkac (junto a Vesna Pavlovic). Nis, Serbia
Exit Art Gallery (Fundación Adolfo Dominguez...
Category
2010s Contemporary Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Graphite
MB 806 (Figurative Charcoal Drawing on Paper of Two Muscular Male Nudes)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Figurative nude drawing made with graphite, conte crayon and charcoal on Arches paper
30 x 19 inches unframed
This unique life study drawing of two male nude models was made by Mark...
Category
2010s Modern Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Archival Paper, Charcoal, Graphite
Church Interior
By Ray Quigley
Located in Buffalo, NY
A modern illustration by American artist Ray Quigley depicting two men inside of a church.
Category
1950s Realist Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Illustration Board, Gouache, Ink
'Reclining Nude', Paris, Louvre, Salon d'Automne, Ac. Chaumière, LACMA, SFAA
By Victor Di Gesu
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Created circa 1955 by Victor Di Gesu (American, 1914-1988) and stamped, verso, with certification of authenticity.
Winner of the Prix Othon Friesz, Victor di Gesu first attended th...
Category
1950s Post-Impressionist Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Paper, Graphite
Green Nude Woman's Torso in Watercolor on Paper
By David Stephens
Located in Soquel, CA
Green Nude Woman's Torso in Watercolor on Paper
Vibrant nude torso watercolor by artist David Stephens (American, 20th century). A nude woman with arms raised is shown against a viv...
Category
1990s Fauvist Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Pencil
Fashionable Faces, Surrealist Figurative Line Drawing
Located in Soquel, CA
Fun and playful figurative line drawing with three stylized female faces by SusanBrooks (American, b. 1951), 1985. Signed and dated in the lowe...
Category
1980s Surrealist Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pencil
Israeli Yosl Bergner Modernist Watercolor Painting Drawing Pots, Pans
By Yosl Bergner
Located in Surfside, FL
Abstract Composition, Kitchen Utensils.
Ink and watercolor of kitchen implements. Hand signed in Hebrew upper left. Dimensions: (Frame) H 25" x 18" (Sight) H 18.5" x W 11.75"
Bergn...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Archival Ink, Watercolor
Knit - Original Graphite Drawing on Panel of Nude Male Figures
By Rick Sindt
Located in Chicago, IL
"Knit" by Rick Sindt is a small graphite drawing of two male nude figures. The faces are somewhat obscured as we view this intimate moment. The graph lines often used by artist are...
Category
2010s Contemporary Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Panel, Graphite
MB 089A (Contemporary Graphite Drawing of Seated Male Nude)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
graphite, conte crayon and charcoal on Arches paper
30 x 22 inches, 37.5 x 26 inches framed
Custom frame with Natural wood molding, white 8ply mat, AR non glare glass
Signed BEARD 20...
Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Crayon, Archival Paper, Graphite
MB 804 A&B (Double Sided Figurative Drawing, Two Male Nudes and Safari Hunter)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Figurative drawing with graphite, charcoal, and conte crayon on Arches paper
30 x 19 inches, unframed
One piece of 30 x 19 inch Arches paper. Two drawings on opposite sides.
These u...
Category
2010s Modern Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Archival Paper, Charcoal, Graphite, Watercolor
Life study of a male nude in repose - European School, late 18th Century
Located in Middletown, NY
European School, late 18th century. Red chalk with primo pensiero in graphite on cream laid paper, 8 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches (215 x 293 mm). Scattered light handling wear and multiple s...
Category
Late 18th Century Naturalistic Alberto Vargas Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Chalk, Laid Paper, Pencil, Graphite
Alberto Vargas drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Alberto Vargas drawings and watercolor paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Alberto Vargas in paint, pencil, watercolor and more. Not every interior allows for large Alberto Vargas drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of David Fredenthal, Adolf Dehn, and Peter Driben. Alberto Vargas drawings and watercolor paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,092 and tops out at $15,000, while the average work can sell for $7,500.