January 12,2003
Art Description with attached Provenance
Painting by Alberto Vargas
Watercolor on Paper
-height- 10.75" X -width- 7.25"
Image Displays Vertical
Unframed & Unmounted
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This Original Piece of Art Presents, as follows:
1. It is " unknown" how long a period of time the Piece has remained "unframed" and in
its present encasement. However the margin areas from paper edge-to-image do not show any border
UV burn, as if the Piece were ever or might have been matted or framed, for any considerable length of time.
2. The paper appears to be a vellum , or of the vellum type, and cream or medium cream, or light
tan, in color. The top and bottom "edge [s]" appear to have been slightly torn, by hand possibly, but not
deckled, as though a condition of the paper when made, and not a hand-torn imitation of a deckled handmade
paper. The left and right "edge [s]" are out-of-square and appear as though cropped, whether by the artist or
someone else "unknown". Such representation is neither intended here, nor is it "known" whether, in fact,
the Piece has been "cropped" after its original state.
3. The "top" and "bottom" are, of course, easily determined, however, the "left" and "right"
margin determinations present somewhat more difficult a task. That is, which is "left" and
which is "right" because the "paper" is nearly as possible (or as is feasible to the writer) approx: 95%
translucent, when viewed before a common room-lighting source.
4. "Image" Subject is a young women, full lenght, standing, but inclined or leaning backward,
with arms extended back, and propping a seated position, against a nondescript low wall
about wainscot height from floor (or 48" high). The women is nude, wearing a golden bengal bracelet
above the elbow on her rear-facing arm. The frontal arm is relaxed a little, while the rear shows tension,
bearing most her weight. Her hair is reddish to a medium brown, curl to a length just below the nape.
She wears also red, a flower and lipstick, with eyes demur to closed, perhaps she sees or dreams, definitely
adrift. Her face is nearly profile, and head ¾" turned to. Lips pursed. Dark eyebrows. Medium eye
shadow. Cheeks rouge. Back and derriere turned to face, one leg and a single high heel shoe, medium and well-
proportioned breast, perfect, half showing nipple. Knee and part of upper leg, and both wrists obscured by
predominantly red, muti-colored floral , long, sheer, tasseled, flowing robe (or other fabric article, most
likely clothing) draped, as if just fallen, to reveal the delight with which tempts to couple every
connoisseur's imagination . . . But, she wears a ring! Oh, just as well.
Further, she shows an early actress, or maybe so only because she's adorned, and made
up as it were, like many women of her era, that appearing to be the mid-1930's. The background
is indicated by only: a window frame, as is the seat, in a light wash that nearly disappears when viewing the
the Piece directly before a light source. Her hands appear amatueristic, like the work of a novice about to arrive,
but the face and upper body contours, balance and perspective is in keeping with a learned opinion recently
proffered. This Piece appears a study, perhaps, or the finely executed rendition of a struggling artist, or a
beginning, at least, then unfinished.
Furthermore, the Piece bears little visible damage, and that is: a single, slight oval-
shaped hole of dimensions approximately 1/8" x 1/4", located in negative space background
about 1/2" from "top" edge and 2" from image. Unfortunate though it is, she appears to be looking
right at it! The "hole" does not detract from the quality of the Piece in any respect, and would not appear if
properly framed.
Lastly, it should not go without mention as a Point of Interest, this Piece, primarily the subject's
skin tone, is highlighted with an opalescent paint medium, applied dry brush, scant detectable,
and is more apparent with indirect or diffused lighting.
5. "Paper edge-to-image" Margin Measurements are as follows, keeping in mind the reversable
characteristic of this Piece:
a. Subject "head" is @ 1/4" from top edge.
b. Subject "rear-facing arm" is @ 1” from side edge.
c. Subject "robe" is @ 7/16" to 1/4" from other side edge.
d. Subject "high heel shoe" is @ 3/32" from bottom edge.
The above description of the Piece presented is offered for identification purposes only, so as to clearly as
possible tie the following provenance to the Piece currently offered for sale.
The forgoing description is nearly as possible a true and complete description of the Piece. The forgoing
description and all representations herein are the only representations made with respect to the artist's identification and
when the Piece was actually executed (as the Piece is unsigned and undated) and no other representations are implied or
intended by the owner/seller currently participating in this transaction.
PROVENANCE
Mr. Val Jean Bureau, who represents the story, is transcribed, paraphrased and rewritten practically
verbatim, while such account and the final rendition written below were witnessed by Ms. Marianne Stahl and Mr. Byron
Harle. Both Ms. Stahl and Mr. Harle are available for comment on this material offered as provenance, whereas nothing
else is available.
MELVIN LEE CAPPS, JR., recounts his acquisition of the Piece, a watercolor thought or believed to be, an
original work by the acclaimed pin-up illustrator and artist painter, ALBERTO VARGAS, as follows:
"I acquired this painting from Loma Linda Kaiser, my Grandmother, upon her passing in 1987. My Grandfather,
CECIL BAILEY, was an international radio antenna locale and placement/ troubleshooter, for RADIO CORPORATION OF
AMERICA ("R.C.A."). My Grandfather's special task involved worldwide antenna setup operations. He spent a great deal of
time in Europe circa 1932. When he wasn't traveling he resided in Petaluma, California, along with his wife Loma Linda,
in a house he had built himself. My grandparents remained at this house in Petaluma, until my Grandfathers death in 1951.
Kaiser was my Grandmother's maiden-name, to which name she reverted back to after the death of her second husband."
REGARDING THE PAINTING, "I was told that my Grandfather acquired it from the artist, someone he met in
the business (many people circulated through his life from the radio entertainment business)." "Whether my Grandfather
purchased it, received it as payment for a favor, or as a gift, I do not know."
"The above quoted writing is based on my own words, and the truth of my recollection, and my own personal
memory of the persons, events, and subject matter, of which I have given this account."
MELVIN "Mel" LEE CAPPS January 12, 2003
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