Alberto Vargas

 
 

The Peruvian painter Alberto Vargas (1896 – 1982) was one of the most famous of the pin-up artists, combining watercolor and airbrush.

He became famous in the 1940s as the creator of World War II era pin-ups for Esquire magazine known as "Vargas Girls." The nose art of many World War II aircraft was adapted from these Esquire pin-ups. Vargas painted portraits of all the stars of Broadway extravaganza. Hugh Hefner asked him to paint foldout nudes for Playboy. At the age of 64,Vargas began this new career, he worked for Playboy for 16 years during which time he produced more than hundred masterpieces.

He retired in 1976. In 1978, with Reid Austin, he wrote Vargas, a compelling tale of his life.

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