Modeled by the lovely Jeanne Dean, this image first appeared in 1942, America's first year at war and a time when many young lovers were separated by endless months and thousands of miles. Here, Jeanne holds an orchid, symbolic of young love, in her one hand and a note in the other. Perhaps it is a promise of devotion from her beau overseas. Jeanne represents the pure, unfettered moment of wonder when, in love, anything is possible.
Jean was famously known as Jeanne "Varga Girl" Dean as she was the model for so many of the Alberto Vargas paintings which were published in Esquire Magazine and calendars during WWII
Originally published in the Esquire magazine gatefold in June 1942. The original artwork is part of the permanent collection at the Julia Spencer Museum at the University of Kansas.
Release Notes:
This image was printed on a patented archival paper called Opalesque which has a surface that emulated the look and feel of silk.
Collector's Notes:
This fine art print was published in San Francisco in 1992 - fifty years after it's first appearance in Esquire Magazine - in cooperation with the Hearst Corporation/Esquire. It bears the registered trademark "Varga" signature logo applied via silkscreen to the finished work.
PLEASE NOTE: This entire edition was also hand-signed by Jeanne Dean.
Jean became close friends with SFAE shortly after we began representing the Vargas family in 1985. She agreed to add her signature to this iconic edition for which she was the model when it was first published in 1992. Sadly, she passed away the following year.
Buyers will receive a certificate of authenticity following delivery of their artwork.