Alberto Vargas: Works from the Max Vargas Collection

I bought this book as a gift for my sister, we are both big fans of Varga girl culture and fashion. I think this book is lovely, its exactly what I wanted for her. We were first introduced to Alberto Vargas through his Esquire magazine calendar girls, which we later learned were originally painted nude and then clothes were later added for the magazine. That being said, the majority of the artwork in this book is nude. I would have like to have seen a little more of the work he did for Esquire in the 1940s, but I realize that that period was a small fraction of his overall body of work. This book is perfect for any Vargas fan.

I didn't realize the book was going to be so big. I was pleasantly surprised. Very sturdy hardback; pictures are incredibly vivid. No complaints whatsoever.

Now, I'm not an afficionado of studies of the female form. I'm also not a professional book reviewer or artist. I'm just a person who enjoys beauty - in many forms.

My wife and I both appreciate Vargas' art and have bought one or two small, cheaper pieces for decoration. Having done that - and with Christmas coming - I thought it would be a good idea to buy this book. This was one of my better decisions.

Oh, some may carp about the size and selection of the images and some may reference other Vargas collections that are somehow 'better'. Me, I'm simply delighted with my purchase.

This book traces Vargas over many years and delivers his most delightful art on every page. Apart from the sheer beauty of his fantasies/studies, the book is interesting for the changes in style apparent as Vargas drew beauty over decades - but that's a small point.

The larger point is that this is a richly-produced visual delight that will be looked-at often on our house. I think I spent my money wisely.

When I buy a book of an artist work I'm buying it for his artwork not his biography. Sure some background info is a good thing but I would have rather seen more of his work. If I want his biography I'll go buy it but I'm more interested in the pin-up art. The works that are represented are nice but far from definitive of his decades of art. If I had to do it all over again I'd buy the book but for 10 dollars cheaper, because I wanted art not text... and so 3 stars

Great pictures from his best work!
If you are a fan of Pin Ups, this is the Classic!!!!
Foreword by Hugh Heffner who published a lot of Vargas Work in his Magazin.
Worth every penny!