Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

Varga Girl

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. 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, also included are several color photographs of the artist and Martignette taken shortly before Vargas’ death in 1982.

La Coquette

Artist: Alberto Vargas
Price:  $10,500.00

    A deliriously sexy and erotically unhinged Alberto Vargas mixed media pin-up illustration for Playboy Magazine, this appeared on page 104 in the June, 1962 issue. A curvy and pretty new bride is seen in a moment of sudden clarity about to pack up for the divorce capital of the US in this spirited and brash […]

Niagara Falls

Artist: Alberto Vargas
Price:  Sold

In May of 1919, on the advice of Sam Kingston, general manager for Florence Ziegfeld, Alberto Vargas applied to be the in-house artist for the Ziegfeld Follies. The rest, as they say, was history. At only 24 Vargas had already established himself as a freelance illustrator of beautiful women, with a sophisticated style inspired by Raphael […]

Feline Entr’acte

Artist: Alberto Vargas
Price:  Sold

Alberto Vargas’ first work for Playboy Magazine appeared September of 1960, exactly one year before the publication of this artwork. In this flirtatious view, a pretty brunette in a diaphanous pink nightgown smiles to the viewer after applying red lipstick to her full lips. This was generously gifted by Hugh Hefner and Playboy Magazine to an Easter Seals charity telethon auction in Chicago in the 1970s. This work was chosen specifically by the foundation, which wanted an image that could be shown on TV.

Vargas Girl – Playboy 1961

Artist: Alberto Vargas
Price:  S O L D

An alarmingly beautiful and decorative work by the undisputed king of illustration art Alberto Vargas / Varga. This is a large early (pre Esquire Magazine) pastel by this Peruvian born master. This art deco era original glamour pin-up pastel was used as calendar art in 1935 by The Joseph Hoover & Sons Calendar Company under the title Summertime. In pristine untouched original condition. An original salesman sample copy of the original published calendar print is included with sale.

Summertime

Artist: Alberto Vargas
Price:  S O L D

 

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