Nagel: The Art of Patrick Nagel

by Patrick Nagel, Elena G. Millie (Foreword)

Gathers drawings, posters, magazine illustrations, and paintings by the late, Ohio-born artist, and offers a concise profile of his life and career.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art Design

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Melki]

I worked at an art gallery in the mid-eighties, and at the time, Nagel, who had recently died, was a hot commodity. I thought he was awesome then, though now his stuff strikes me as vapid and empty . . . perhaps the perfect illustrations for the Reagan years. Great for looking at as you listen to Milli Vanilli.

[Jason Dark]

4.8

[Drew]

This is another book where I frequently admire the artwork within it. Love it!

[Brett Marcus Cook]

Nagel had a fantastic, distinctive style and aesthetic, but all I can think about is how limited it was. All of the women look virtually the same with solid white skin and thin, athletic bodies, and all but a few in this book have jet black hair. There's no range.

I can only wonder how much things would have developed and changed if he hadn't died so young.

[Erica]

A treasure trove of Patrick Nagel's iconic artwork. His style was one of those that defined the 1980s. The essays in the beginning are loving and interesting tributes to an artist who died much too young. A definitive retrospective. Highly recommended.

[Jose]

Excellent Art, Sad short life but in such little time made great work, his philosophy was pretty neat, As a kid in the 80s was enthralled by his work and not knowing who it was until later. The Iconic Lady, An 80s American Rockwell.

[Kay]

Could do with more art in all honesty, but at least the pages are glossy and clean. It’s not an encyclopedia of his work, nor a very specific collection such as when he worked for playboy but it is rather a collection of lovely pieces.

[maggie]

some of the most beautiful (and most camp, at times) art that I’ve ever seen. His fixation on drawing and redrawing the same woman throughout his entire career is either really weird or really cute (I have yet to decide)

[Sparrow]

Exactly what I want out of an art book - a concise introduction to the artist and then nothing but pages and pages of his works with no commentary.

[Aaron the Pink Donut]

This is the only dedicated book about Patrick Nagel out there so I was interested to check it out. it really is a must for any one who enjoys his work. some of his more iconic work is here along with sketches and roughs. If nothing else it does give some insight into his work methods and techniques. That being said it really is incomplete in depth and scope. a newer, far more complete retrospective edition is really really needed. a lot of the more interesting, edger playboy work is missing along with some of his more important lesser works. From what I understand this book was hastily put together right after his untimely death and it shows. Still worth picking up if you see a copy.

[Sarah Bernard]

A sleek, engaging retrospective that gathers Nagel’s drawings, posters, magazine illustrations, and paintings into a single, visually rich volume. The book offers a brief but useful profile of his life and career, but its real strength is the artwork itself—clean lines, bold shapes, and the unmistakable 1980s aesthetic that made Nagel iconic. A strong, accessible introduction to his style and influence.

[Chandler]

Published just after his sudden and untimely death, this is a great overview of the art portfolio of a man that epitomized the 1980s in art, Patrick Nagel. 90% of it is art, but there are some great interviews by friends and colleagues that provide a short summary of who he was as a person, which gave some deeper insight to his art as a whole.

[Mimielle LaFauve]

another favie piccie book

[F.C. Etier]

Nagel's work is inspiring!

[Shane McCall]

Always loved this artist.