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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Illustration & Advertising Art

La Coquette

Artist:Alberto Vargas
Date:1910s
Medium:Gouache on Illustration Board
Dimensions:Sight Size 14" x 17" Framed 28" x 31"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Possible Cover Art for The American Weekly
Price: $10,500.00
Full view of guache illustration
Full view of illustration
The artist's early signature
The artist’s early signature
Framed and matted behind glass in beautiful art deco aesthetic gallery frame
Framed and matted behind glass in beautiful art deco aesthetic gallery frame

A whimsical art deco original gouache painting titled “La Coquette” by Alberto Vargas. An early work by the Peruvian born pin up legend exploring the Commedia dell’arte revival that took hold around 1915, the cast of characters in this boldly colored and delightful Edwardian scene features the requisite maiden courted by a Harlequin with slapstick at his side as her guardian looks on in horror. Vargas brings a unique spin to this popular genre and his artistic mastery is apparent even at this early date.

Full view with artist painted French Matting border
Full view with artist painted French Matting border
Art deco gallery frame profile detail
Art deco gallery frame profile detail
Titled "La Coquette" in artist's hand
Titled “La Coquette” in artist’s hand
Detail of Commedia dell'arte courting scene
Detail of Commedia dell’arte courting scene

This was acquired by Charles Martignette in 1989 from the Vargas estate – the painting is accompanied by a series of Kodak color photographs (dated June 1989) taken by Martignette of this painting at the time of acquisition, also included are several color photographs of the artist and Martignette taken shortly before Vargas’ death in 1982.

Above: Charles Martignette and Albert Vargas c. 1980
Above: A series of Kodak photographs of Martignette and Vargas and assorted photos of this painting taken by Martignette included in sale

Before becoming a household name with his wildly popular “Varga Girl” pin up gatefolds for Esquire Magazine starting in 1941, Vargas created sensuous portraits of Ziegfeld Follies showgirls, worked in the art department for Paramount Films and created a few spectacular covers for The American Weekly and The Theater magazines.

Above: A Vargas Cover for The American Weekly of this era
Above: A Peruvian Princess by Vargas created for The American Weekly

This is an important and historic early offering with the added provenance of having been in the fabled Charles Martignette estate, the sadly departed author, historian and collector of vintage pin-up. Boston native Charles Martignette coaxed Vargas out of retirement in 1979 and had the artist do the cover art for fellow Bostonian’s The Cars album Candy O, introducing the artist to a new generation of fans.

La Coquette

Artist: Alberto Vargas
Price:  $10,500.00

Filed Under: Illustration & Advertising Art
Tagged With: 1920s, Alberto Vargas, american, American Weekly, art deco, Charles Martignette, Commedia dell'arte, Edwardian, glamour, harlequin, maiden, original cover art, pin up, The Golden Gallery, Varga Girl
Added to Gallery: February 2, 2018

 

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    About Grapefruit Moon Gallery

    Grapefruit Moon Gallery, based in Minneapolis MN, specializes in vintage pin up and original illustration art.  We are the proud home of the Bunny Yeager archives.

    Since 2003, Grapefruit Moon Gallery has been a leading dealer of exclusive original paintings by Gil Elvgren, Alberto Vargas, Earl Moran, Rolf Armstrong and Henry Clive, as well as vintage photographs, prints, and period decorative arts in ceramic and metal.

    All artworks featured are original, accurately represented, and guaranteed to be the work of the named artist.

    Interested buyers may view pieces by appointment and we are happy to answer any questions you may have. [Contact Us]

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