Alberto Vargas (Peruvian/American, 1896-1982) Nice and Easy, Legacy Nude #8 study, 1953 Watercolor on board 18-3/8 x 25-1/8 inches (46.7 x 63.8 cm) Not signed Preliminary work to Vargas' painting, Nice and Easy Legacy Nude #8. Though not signed or the completed work, it is a beautiful classic nude by the master watercolorist famous for his paintings of women. The subject of this painting is Jeanne Dean, his primary model of the 1940's. Though Jeanne was a redhead, he painted her hair in this work and in the final painting a satiny chestnut brown. Jeanne also posed for several other of his Legacy Nude paintings, a collection of twelve works he produced for his wife Anna May. In the event he died he wanted to leave her these twelve paintings, which he considered his best work, with the intent that she might derive an income after his death. Sadly, Anna May predeceased him by eight years and he kept all twelve Legacy Nude paintings in his personal possession until his death in 1982. We would like to thank © Theron Kabrich, San Francisco Art Exchange for his invaluable assistance in cataloging this lot. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved