Alberto Vargas: Works from the Max Vargas Collection (Hardcover)

~ Reid Stewart Austin (Author), Hugh Hefner (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The storied and turbulent career of glamour artist Alberto Vargas took him from Florenz Ziegfeld's Follies in the 1920s to Hollywood in the 30s to Esquire magazine and the emergence of the "Varga Girl" in the 40s and, ultimately, to a lasting home at Playboy in the 60s and 70s.

This is the first book on the works of Vargas in more than a decade. It is also the first to include a generous selection of his vivid original drawings and his finest work for Playboy magazine. Along with these highly sought-after pictures, the book features early unpublished works, unpublished sketches, the celebrated Legacy Nudes, and more.

The decade-by-decade narrative essay and captions are by Reid Stewart Austin, an art director at Playboy for 20 years, and author of the bestselling Vargas biography written in 1978 in collaboration with the artist.

About the Author

Reid Stewart Austin is the author of Alberto Vargas (1978) as well as Vargas: The Esquire Years (1987), Petty: The Classic Pin-up Art of George Petty (Gramercy, 1998), and several articles on Vargas for Playboy and other national magazines.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch (September 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821257927
• ISBN-13: 978-0821257920
• Product Dimensions: 13 x 10.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #127,328 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE LEGEND THAT IS VARGAS, February 17, 2007

By	Tim Janson (Michigan) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

There are a few legitimate greats, legends of the pin-up and glamour art world whose names are synonymous with style and perfection. There's Rolf Armstrong, Zoe Mozert, Gil Elvgren, and, perhaps the greatest of them all, Alberto Vargas. Vargas first came to notoriety in 1919 when he was hired by the Ziegfeld Follies to paint portraits of the various Follies Revue stars. He would work for several years producing pinups for Esquire Magazine but it was his work for Playboy Magazine beginning in 1960 that made him a legend. The Vargas page in Playboy would become a regular feature for the next decade and a half.

This book contains an eclectic assortment of Vargas art beginning with the earliest work in 1914 and running up through 1975, over sixty years worth of work. It is indeed fascinating to compare his works from the twenties to those of the sixties and seventies. Despite the changes in fashion, hairstyles, and even facial expressions, Vargas' work always had an innate sensuality to them.

The names of the Follies women aren't remembered by most people today but women like Olive Thomas and Nita Nadli were the starlets of their era. His work in the thirties included paintings of Hollywood stars as well movie posters. His subjects included a young Shirley Temple and the sultry Marlene Dietrich.

Several examples of Vargas' sketches are shown partnered with the finished paintings so one can see the progression and changes made along the way. There are a number of two-page spreads in the book such as "Cordillera De Los Andes" a wonderful nude spread of a sexy blonde lying face down. It is simple, yet remarkable erotic. "Blonde Venus" is yet another fantastic 1950's nude spread.

The first Vargas painting from Playboy included in the book is from December 1960 and shows a buxom nude redhead in a pink negligee twisting almost impossibly over her left shoulder to look at the reader. The thing that strikes me about Vargas' paintings, particularly the Playboy paintings, is the way the girls seem to look at you, and you alone with those big, watery eyes. It's no wonder he became so popular with the Vargas page.

The book is a beautifully produced, over-sized hardcover with some 100 full-color illustrations. Highly recommended for all fans of pin-up or glamour art, or those that just appreciate the female form.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vargas at his best, March 9, 2007

By	Clifford E. Carney "dragonfly" (usa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Great book. Lots of history about Alberto Vargas and his continued struggle to make it in the art world. Well he did make it and how.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just breathtaking..., June 7, 2007

By	A. Gochis (Glendale, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and reading about Alberto Vargas, his work, his relationships with his publisher(s) and his wife. The man was an amazing talent. The size of these illustrations were incredible, sorry to see a seam going down the middle ... If I could I'd take them out and hang them in poster frames!

I wish there were even more drawings to enjoy.