Patrick Nagel. The captivating power of beauty and aloofness

Sometimes it is extremely difficult to assess the work of a modern artist, to define him as the founder of the direction of art, but no one can argue that Patrik Nagel (1945–1984) was a trendsetter, a creator who inspired a great number of illustrators, the concept of artists and designers. His manner is imitated and nowdays by the artists of comics, the game industry, animation and fashion-illustration.

The style of Nagel’s works is recognized right away, a clear line swiftly and confidently draws faces, figures. These silhouettes, although frozen in their poses, but in a moment will come to life and the reality they are familiar with will go on as usual.

His heroes, or rather the heroines — women of the late 70’s early 80’s — bold, self-sufficient, but at the same time, fragile and mysterious.

Friends of the artist recall that Patrick Nagel loved to work at night, his visions, the muse in the form of modern women came to him.

Beginning in 1976 he began to receive regular commision from the magazine Playboy, which increased the popularity of “nagel’s women.” In 1978, Patrick Nagel created a cover for the legendary Rio group album Duran Duran, which became platinum.

It’s felt the influence of Japanese prints in the works of the artist, and also to some extent the Art Deco style, but at the same time it is a completely modern look and message to viewers.

Starting with the photo, he created a simplified drawing, then translated it into a pictorial image. The ,bold black lines are forming an image in perspective. He tried to show more by minimal means.

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