Fleurs du Mal ("Flowers of Evil") is a volume of French poetry by Charles Baudelaire. First published in 1857, the subject matter of these poems deals with themes relating to decadence and eroticism. In this context, the sultry atmosphere found in Vargas' work is compelling. Vargas created a fine sense of time and place when he created this.
The original artwork that this image is based on was produced in 1920.
This study in Deco Orientalism was origionally painted as a nude. The subject was hurriedly given a "bashful Nellie" cover-up in order to satisfy a New York art director's wish to use it to advertise a Miriam Hoplins epic. When he got it back, Alberto as quickly raised the offending slip's hem well above the knee.
The "Lifetime Portfolio"
In the late 1970s, Alberto Vargas was invited to produce a series of limited edition lithographs of a number of his early works. An agreement was reached and he chose five of his favorite Ziegfeld period beauties to be published.
A total of 1,000 prints were authorized, 500 for domestic distribution and 500 for international release. None of these were signed by Vargas, rather they were signed by an authorized representative as a "Proxy Signature".
After the main edition was finalized, the publishers approached Vargas to personally hand-sign 50 additional prints designated as Artist Proofs. He agreed and thus he created the only limited edition "Artist Signed" prints by Alberto Vargas.
The Lifetime Portfolio prints are offset lithographs on BFK Rives fine-art paper.
Collector's Notes:
We generally have a small inventory of proxy-signed pieces available that can be purchased using the CHOOSE A SIZE button below. Orders will be shipped within 2-4 days.
We may also have a hand-signed version in stock. Please contact us for availability and pricing on these pieces!
Buyers will receive a certificate of authenticity following the delivery of their artwork.