Pino Daeni

Pino Daeni was one of the highest-paid book illustrators of his time, renowned for his softly lit, romantic illustrations that graced the covers of thousands of late 20th-century romance novels. Pino created cover art for over 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.

Trained at the Academy of Fine Arts of Bari and the Brera Academy in Milan, Pino painted nudes and figure studies in a style influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites and the Macchiaioli School — a group of late 19th-century Tuscan artists who rejected aristocratic tastes in favor of naturalism. Known for his loose, wispy brushstrokes and intimate scenes, Pino’s work often featured women sensuously awaiting their lovers in their boudoirs. He also pioneered the wraparound book cover, creating a single image that flowed seamlessly from the front to the back of the book.