Patrick Nagel

An American artist and illustrator, Patrick Nagel is noted for his striking artwork. As part of his artistic style, Nagel incorporated elements of art deco and pop art, as well as well-known personalities from popular cultures, such as Robert Palmer and David Bowie. In his work, he reinterpreted the art deco tradition in a highly imaginative way by using a limited palette and a minimalist aesthetic. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Patrick Nagel became a leading figure typifying figurative illustration and graphic arts that featured powerful women in strong poses and sharp gazes. A good example of this is his "Commemorative" series from the 1980s. A major source of inspiration for PatrickNagel’s art was the work of pre-Raphaelite painters, Japanese woodblock prints, and recent fashion photography trends. Patrick Nagel's original art is available for bidding at online auctions on Bidsquare.

The majority of his works feature female figures in an Art Deco or Pop art style, which he adapted for board, paper, and canvas. Drawing a simplified representation of a model from a photograph was an important part of his artistic process. These images were conveyed by Nagel through bold dark lines, cool colors, and white space, with the least amount of additional elements. He achieved instant fame and popularity through the illustrations he created for Playboy and the album cover of Duran Duran's Rio. As an iconic figure of the 1980s, Nagel Woman has become renowned for her jet-black hair, full-lipped mouth, bright white skin tone, and aloof appearance. The collectors continue to pursue Nagel prints decades after his death in 1984. Patrick Nagel left an indelible mark with his avant-garde, svelte style for decades to come.

Interesting Facts about Patrick Nagel

• A portrait by Nagel of Jeana (1983) went for $350,000 at an auction in 2020, a record for him.
• Patrick Nagel's pop-infused art deco style instantly brings back memories of the 1980s.