Albero Vargas worked at Esquire Magazine in the 1940s and 1950s. The years working within this company became a pivotal time for Vargas as he was able to advance and grow as an artist.  Vargas became known for his series of pin-up art that was published in the Esquire Magazine. This series allowed him to gain popularity and strive to better himself as an artist. His skills in color, lighting, and overall portrayal of his “seductive aesthetics” improved while working for this magazine company (McKamey). As noted in “Jeanne (Victory for a Soldier),” Vargas focused on highlighting Jeanne’s specific features, such as her brow bone, the round of her shoulder, and the side of her chest, to accent or bring light to her attractive qualities. Vargas found balance within the color pallet by creating an overall softer tone but still adding subtle shadows and contrasts within the draping cloth over the bottom half of the model’s body. “Vargas’ mastery of the airbrush, honed through his years working for photographers, gave his portraits of women a delicate softness that would become his hallmark,” (McKamey). Vargas took over for the previous illustrator, George Petty, at Esquire Magazine through creating desirable pin-up paintings each month. In just six years at this magazine company, Vargas was able to design 180 paintings, along with his annual “Varga Girl” calendars. His daily work, along with the extremely popular calendars, resulted in major success and profit for Esquire (McKamey). 

McKamey, Pam. “Alberto Vargas, The King of Pin-Up Art.” Asgard Press, 11 Sep. 2023. https://www.asgardpress.com/alberto-vargas/#:~:text=Years%20with%20Esquire%20Magazine&text=Under%20his%20contract%20with%20Esquire,highly%20profitable%20for%20the%20publication Accessed 4 April 2025.