Patrick Nagel
Patrick Nagel, raised in the Los Angeles area, graduated from California State University at Fullerton in 1969. In 1976, Nagel began contributing his images regularly to Playboy Magazine, which extended the publicity and popularity of "the Nagel Woman" to a huge and loyal audience. In 1978, limited editions of Nagel’s work were published by Mirage Editions and introduced to fine art galleries across America. Through his increased gallery exposure and his cover art of Duran Duran's chart topping Rio Album, "The Nagel Woman" became an established, dominant stylized icon of the 80's. Original paintings sold out within minutes of exhibition openings and his posters were collected by prestigious institutions such as the Library of Congress, the Oakland Museum, and the Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts at U.C.L.A. In 1984 Patrick Nagel passed away at the age of 38; leaving behind a legacy of dynamic, sensual, and creative artistic vision.