Pino Daeni

Pino Daeni was among the highest-paid book illustrators of his day, known for softly lit, romantic illustrations that graced the covers of thousands of late 20th-century romance novels. Pino produced the cover art for some 3,000 books by authors such as Danielle Steel and Sylvie Sommerfield. He is also credited with launching the career of Italian supermodel Fabio, who posed for several of his illustrations.

He trained at the Academy of Fine Arts of Bari and the Brera Academy in Milan, Pino painted nudes and figure studies in a style inspired by the Pre-Raphaelites and the Macchiaioli School —a group of late 19th century, Tuscan artists who rejected aristocratic tastes in favour of naturalism. Characterised by their loose, wispy brushstrokes and intimate scenes, Pino’s illustrations often featured women sensuously awaiting their lovers in their boudoirs. Pino was also a pioneer of the wraparound book cover, creating a single image that continued from the book’s front to back.