Pino & Vidan

MASTER PAINTER

Giuseppe “Pino” Dangelico (1939–2010)

Giuseppe “Pino” Dangelico was born in Bari, Italy. He trained at the Art Institute of Bari and later at Milan’s Academy of Brera, where he refined his skills in figure and nude painting. His artistic development was strongly influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites and the Italian Macchiaioli.

After establishing himself as an artist in Italy, Pino moved to the United States in search of greater artistic opportunity. His work was soon represented by the Borghi Gallery, which presented exhibitions of his paintings in New York and Boston.

Pino’s soft, romantic figures also attracted the attention of major book publishers. In 1980, Zebra Books commissioned his first book cover. His distinctive style quickly became highly sought after, and he went on to work with publishers including Zebra, Bantam, Simon & Schuster, Harlequin, Penguin USA and Dell. Over the following decades, Pino illustrated more than 3,000 book covers, becoming one of the most recognizable artists in the field.

Alongside his illustration career, Pino continued to paint fine-art oils. These works became central to his artistic legacy. His paintings are known for their warmth, nostalgia and intimate portrayals of love, family and everyday moments. Women from his own family, including his sisters, aunts and cousins, provided inspiration, while the Mediterranean beaches and atmosphere of his childhood frequently influenced his settings.

Pino had an exceptional ability to capture movement, expression and quiet contemplation. His rich, vibrant palette and subtle treatment of his subjects became hallmarks of his work. Today his original oils, limited-edition giclées and serigraphs continue to be collected internationally.

ITALIAN FIGURATIVE ARTIST

Vittorio “Vidan” Dangelico

Vittorio “Vidan” Dangelico was born in Perugia, Italy, between Rome and Florence. His interest in art developed at an early age, leading him to study at respected Italian art schools including the Liceo Artistico di Milano and the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera.

In 1988, Vidan moved to the United States to study under his uncle, the celebrated artist and illustrator Pino. Building on that classical training and influence, Vidan developed his own approach to romantic figurative painting, portraiture and landscapes. His work has since been exhibited and collected through galleries internationally.

Like Pino, Vidan also built a career in commercial illustration. He worked with publishers including Doubleday, HarperCollins, Harlequin, Zebra, Berkley and Ballantine, while contributing to projects associated with Vogue Italia, TV Guide, Snapshots and Maryknoll greeting cards.

Vidan’s paintings combine traditional figurative technique with atmosphere, elegance and narrative. His portraits and landscapes reflect the Italian artistic training that shaped his early career while establishing a body of work distinctly his own.