Patrick Nagel

Patrick Nagel (1945–1984) was an American illustrator and painter whose sleek, high-contrast portraits of stylized women made him one of the defining visual voices of the 1980s. Born in Dayton, Ohio, and raised in the Los Angeles area, Nagel developed a style that descends from Art Deco and pop art: flat planes of color, bold contour lines, and minimal backgrounds.

After serving in Vietnam with the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division, Nagel studied at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from California State University, Fullerton in 1969. He worked as a graphic designer for ABC Television before building a freelance career. From 1975 until his death, a Nagel painting appeared in nearly every issue of Playboy magazine, roughly 285 works in all, which introduced the "Nagel Woman" to a worldwide audience.

In 1977 he created his first poster image with Mirage Editions, who went on to publish many of his prints. His 1982 painting for Duran Duran's album Rio became one of the most recognizable images in popular culture, and a lithograph of that cover is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Nagel died in 1984 at age 38, and collectors have shown renewed interest in his work in recent years.

At Village Gallery, collectors can browse the Patrick Nagel collection, including "Commemorative 12," a signed and numbered limited edition serigraph in mint condition, never framed or displayed. Each listing states the medium, size and edition details.

Quick facts

  • Born: November 25, 1945, Dayton, Ohio
  • Died: February 4, 1984, Santa Monica, California
  • Education: Chouinard Art Institute; BFA, California State University, Fullerton (1969)
  • Best known for: the "Nagel Woman" illustrations, his Playboy work, and the Duran Duran Rio album cover
  • Style: Art Deco- and pop art-influenced, with flat color, bold line and high contrast
  • Formats: paintings and illustrations, published as serigraphs, lithographs and posters

FAQ

  • Who was Patrick Nagel? An American illustrator and painter (1945–1984) known for stylized portraits of women, his work for Playboy, and the Duran Duran Rio album cover.
  • What is a Nagel serigraph? A serigraph is a fine art screen print, made by pressing ink through stencil screens one color at a time. It suits Nagel's flat, graphic style.
  • What is Patrick Nagel's art style? He combined Art Deco's clean lines and geometry with pop art's bold color and graphic punch.