Vargas Pin-up Girl with Trident, Ltd Ed., Framed

Alberto Vargas

Untitled - Pin-up Girl with Trident

Chromolithograph, Limited Edition, #2/20

Originally published 1964, limited edition run c.1978

Framed and matted, this beautiful chromolithograph is a limited edition from Alberto Vargas' hand-picked collection. The figure has a unique marine-themed costume and holds a trident while gazing directly at the viewer. She is a classic and wonderful example of the Vargas pin-up girl genre that continues to thrive even today. 

Born in Peru, Alberto Vargas was the son of an internationally-esteemed photographer. He worked alongside his father until his formal education in Europe. WWI cut short his time on the European continent, causing Vargas to travel to New York. There, he was inspired by the vivacious and self-confident show girls of the great city. He soon moved on to working on portraits in Hollywood, with such stars including Shirley Temple, Ava Gardner, and Marylin Monroe. He moved back to New York when a position opened up at "Esquire Magazine" and published his first illustration in 1940. His work proved popular and his dubbed "Varga Girls" (despite his last name ending with an 'S') were monumentally successful, especially with American troops.

Three years later, Vargas had a falling out with Esquire Magazine over contract terms and lost a subsequent legal battle. Never down and out for long, Vargas soon worked on a new magazine called "Playboy" after a meeting Hugh Hefner. The more accurately named "Vargas Girls" were once again largely popular and a reoccurring feature of a magazine. His influence on American beauty standards were widespread and the pin-up genre will forever be largely inspired by his work. Vargas stopped his illustrations after his beloved wife passed away in 1974, but he and his dear friend Reid Austin released a book of Vargas' life work in 1978. Shortly afterward, Vargas passed away in 1982. 

Condition: Overall very good. Five small stains throughout the work, but they are light in color. Otherwise the paper is healthy and color is vibrant. Framed with UV filtering glass.

Framed Dimensions: 38"h x 30"w 

Print Dimensions: 30 1/2"h x 22 1/4"w