Raquel (from the 'Icons' or 'Women' series)
Print - Serigraph (Silkscreen) on paper or board • Patrick Nagel
Style & Movement
Contemporary Pop Art / Art Deco Revival (often referred to as 'Nagel style' or 80s Minimalist Illustration)
Medium & Technique
Serigraphy (silkscreen printing) utilizing flat planes of color, sharp contour lines, and high-contrast tonal layering characteristic of commercial illustration and Pop Art.
Creation Period
Circa 1980s (typically 1985-1988)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 36 inches (image size); Vertical (Portrait) format, presented in a large custom mat and metal frame.
Subject Description
A stylized portrait of a woman with pale skin, dark hair, and a high-collared burgundy/plum garment partially obscuring her face. The composition emphasizes a cool, detached gaze and sharp geometric forms influenced by Japanese woodblock prints and early 20th-century fashion illustration.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the print appears bright with crisp edges. The custom matting and frame show minor signs of shelf wear compatible with age.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 (if a signed/numbered limited edition serigraph); $100 - $300 (if an unsigned open-edition poster)
Auction Estimate
$1,000 - $2,500 (for authenticated limited editions)
Provenance History
Likely acquired through a gallery or fine art poster distributor in the mid-to-late 1980s. These works were widely collected during the peak of Nagel's popularity in the interior design market.
Art Historical Significance
Nagel's work defined the visual aesthetic of the 1980s, bridging the gap between fine art and commercial graphic design. His work is iconic for its role in defining the 'modern woman' of the era and his influence on fashion and the music industry (notably Duran Duran's Rio album cover).
Notable Features
Features the signature 'Nagel' aesthetic: the high-contrast palette, the use of negative space, and the 'Nagel Woman' archetype—strong, mysterious, and fashion-forward.
Condition Issues
Potential light fading if exposed to UV; minor undulations in the paper substrate; possible acid burn from non-archival matting visible on the edges if examined out of frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the piece is glazed with UV-protective acrylic or glass; verify that the matting is acid-free (archival) to prevent yellowing of the paper edges.