Marlene Dietrich c1932
“Marlene Dietrich c1932,” created by Peruvian artist Alberto Vargas (1896 – 1982), is an iconic piece that captures the allure, glamour, and sophistication of the early 20th-century entertainment world. Vargas, renowned for his pin-up style and vivid representations of famous women, particularly in Hollywood, immortalized Marlene Dietrich, one of the most celebrated actresses of the era, in a way that highlighted her sensuality and elegance. Through this artwork, Vargas channels the charm of Dietrich while offering an intimate and seductive portrayal that plays with light, composition, and texture.
This painting, created around 1932, was crafted during a time when Marlene Dietrich was at the height of her fame, a celebrated screen star known for her striking beauty and charismatic performances. Her sultry roles in films such as The Blue Angel and Morocco had solidified her status as a quintessential Hollywood icon. The artwork is not just a portrait of Dietrich but a reflection of the cinematic glamour and the evolving cultural landscape of the 1930s.
Table of Contents
The Main Subject: Marlene Dietrich
In this portrait, Marlene Dietrich is the undisputed focal point, exuding a captivating blend of grace and seduction. Dietrich, with her platinum blonde curls, is painted with soft yet deliberate strokes that capture the gleam of her hair, her smooth skin, and the rich tones of her lips and eyes. Her posture is poised yet intimate, creating a sense of allure. She is seated against a neutral, soft-toned backdrop, allowing her figure to stand out in vivid contrast to the surrounding space.
The subject’s expression is enigmatic, her gaze directed at the viewer with a confident yet inviting air, as if caught in a moment of reflection or subtle playfulness. The fine details of her facial features, the curvature of her lips, the intensity in her eyes, are painted in a way that draws the viewer into the emotional depth of the portrait, showcasing Dietrich’s dual nature: a woman of power and vulnerability.
Objects and Symbols
The painting includes several notable elements that enrich the visual and emotional layers of the composition. One of the most significant objects is the delicate cigarette that Dietrich holds in her hand, a symbol of sophistication, defiance, and the social status of the time. The slender cigarette, partially smoked, produces wisps of smoke that seem to swirl delicately in the air, creating a sense of movement and contrast against the stillness of Dietrich’s form.
In addition to the cigarette, the painting incorporates a soft arrangement of white lilies, which are carefully positioned near her left arm. These flowers are delicate, their white petals contrasting with the dark fabric of Dietrich’s dress. The lilies can be interpreted as symbols of purity and femininity, but in the context of Dietrich’s sultry persona, they take on a more complex meaning, perhaps a reflection of her enigmatic beauty or the juxtaposition between innocence and seduction.
The figure is draped in a black garment, a strapless dress that clings to her body, enhancing the graceful yet sensual silhouette. The fabric of the dress is rendered with exceptional care, showcasing Vargas’ mastery in portraying textures, its flowing quality accentuates the sensuality of the subject while maintaining a timeless elegance.
The Terrain and Background
The background of the painting is intentionally minimal, with subtle gradients of muted colors that give the impression of a soft, undisturbed space. There are no significant objects in the background to distract from the main subject, allowing the viewer to focus entirely on Dietrich’s presence. The soft, blurred background also serves to heighten the dramatic contrast between the woman and her surroundings, making her seem almost otherworldly in her beauty. This approach is a hallmark of Vargas’ style, where the emphasis is placed squarely on the subject without the intrusion of extraneous detail.
The lack of distinct scenery or furniture implies a kind of timelessness. The viewer is transported into a world where the subject is the primary focus, her beauty, her allure, and the stillness of the moment are all that matter. This creates a sense of ethereal detachment, as if Dietrich exists outside of time or space, a vision of perfection captured in a moment of stillness.
Style, Theme, and Mood
The style of the painting is strongly aligned with Vargas’ characteristic pin-up art, a genre that became immensely popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Vargas’ works often portrayed women in sensual, idealized forms, with a particular emphasis on glamour and allure. In this piece, the use of soft shading and rich colors, particularly in the depiction of Dietrich’s skin, gives the painting a sensual, almost dreamlike quality.
The overall mood of the painting is one of sophistication and allure. There is a subtle tension between the glamour of Dietrich’s image and the sensuality inherent in the pose and the props. Her half-smile, the languid way she holds the cigarette, and the faint wisps of smoke combine to evoke a mood that is both seductive and playful. This juxtaposition between elegance and sensuality captures the essence of Dietrich’s public persona, blending her image as a glamorous movie star with a more personal, intimate side.
Vargas’ careful treatment of light and shadow, particularly on Dietrich’s face, enhances the seductive mood of the painting. Her features are illuminated in a soft, almost ethereal light, contributing to the aura of mystery that surrounds her. The muted tones of the background and the focus on the subject’s face and hands also create an intimate atmosphere, inviting the viewer to linger on the details of Dietrich’s beauty.
Conclusion
The portrait of Marlene Dietrich by Alberto Vargas is a masterful example of early 20th-century art, encapsulating the elegance, sensuality, and mystery of one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars. The artist’s skillful rendering of Dietrich’s likeness, combined with the subtle symbolism and restrained background, creates a timeless representation that captures the essence of the era. This painting serves not only as a tribute to Dietrich’s legacy but also as an example of Vargas’ prowess in creating captivating, emotive works of art that continue to resonate with viewers today.
This is a retouched digital art old masters reproduction of a public domain image.
Artist Bio
Info Below From Wikipedia.org
Born in Arequipa, Peru, he was the son of noted Peruvian photographer Max T. Vargas. Alberto Vargas moved to the United States in 1916 after studying art in Europe, Zurich, and Geneva prior to World War I.
While he was in Europe he came upon the French magazine La Vie Parisienne, with a cover by Raphael Kirchner, which he said was a great influence on his work.
His early career in New York included work as an artist for the Ziegfeld Follies and for many Hollywood studios. Ziegfeld hung his painting of Olive Thomas at the theater, and she was thought of as one of the earliest Vargas Girls.
Vargas’ most famous piece of film work was for the poster of the 1933 film The Sin of Nora Moran, which shows a near-naked Zita Johann in a pose of desperation. The poster is frequently named one of the greatest movie posters ever made.
He became widely noted in the 1940s as the creator of iconic World War-II era pin-ups for Esquire magazine known as “Vargas Girls.” Between 1940 and 1946 Vargas produced 180 paintings for the magazine.
The nose art of many American and Allied World War II aircraft was inspired and adapted from these Esquire pin-ups, as well as those of George Petty, and other artists.
