Vargas Pin-up Print Redhead with Black Cat

Alberto Vargas (1896-1982), famed American pin-up artist, painted the gouache and watercolor "Feline Entr'acte" (Intermission with Cat) in 1919 (aka 'Redhead with Black Cat'). The artwork has been called one of the greatest pin-ups he ever painted. Vargas was so pleased with it that he kept the original in his personal collection. This is an original print and not one from a magazine, poster book or calendar.

This print dates from the 1930's, strikingly framed under glass that's reverse-painted in black with two narrow gilt lines surrounding the print. The wooden Art Deco frame is three-tiered in black and gold with two different molded designs.

The glass covers a bit of the print on all sides. On the original painting, Vargas hand lettered the following on the lower right:
Alberto Vargas
N.Y. 1919
You can see the beginning of this (ALB) on this print. (On later paintings, he simply signed "Vargas.") On the bottom left you can see GAS ™, the trademark for this picture. We've included a photo of the full painting including the signature.

The back has retained most of its dust paper with some tears and has a hanging wire installed. On the top left corner is a price label from Meier & Frank, the then prominent Portland, Oregon, department store. It's stamped with one of their early logos and shows a price of $1.29 which was reduced to a penciled $1.00 (!).

The framed measurements are 17 inches high and 21 inches wide and it weighs 3 3/4 pounds. Sight measurements of the artwork are 11 1/4 inches by 15 1/4 inches. The print and glass are both in excellent condition, with a few tiny flecks of the black paint missing. We point these out for accuracy; they are so tiny we were unable to photograph them and they do not detract from the beauty of this Vargas masterpiece in any way.

© FolkandFine.com

PYH 5426