Vargas Appraisal

Woman with Pierrot Clown (Artist: Alberto Vargas)

This item is an art print, likely a lithograph or offset print, featuring a distinctive Art Deco style illustration. The central figure is a bare-chested woman with a short, dark bob haircut, characteristic of the 1920s flapper era. Her skin tone is rendered in soft, warm beige and peach hues, with subtle shading to define her form. She holds a small, white-clad figure that appears to be a Pierrot-like clown doll or puppet, adding an intriguing narrative element. The clown figure is predominantly white with black details for its hair and a small black mark on its chest, with traces of red on its mouth. The woman's lips are painted a muted red, and her fingernails are also red. The background of the print is a plain, light brown or tan color, possibly indicating the natural tone of the paper. There is a visible signature or mark in the lower right corner, which reads "ALBERT VARGAS," identifying the artist as Alberto Vargas, a renowned pin-up artist. The print material appears to be a medium-weight paper. Visually, the print shows some signs of age consistent with its estimated period; the paper exhibits a slight overall yellowing or 'patina' due to age, but there are no immediately obvious tears, creases, or significant damage visible in the provided image. The colors appear somewhat muted, which could be due to age or characteristic of the offset printing process. The craftsmanship is evident in the detailed facial features and the elegant lines of the figures, showcasing typical Vargas style.