PAL

Romanian ( 1860 - 1942 )

Pal (Jean de Paleologue) was a member of an imperial dynasty which once ruled the Byzantine countries. Pal got his education and served in the military; thereafter, however he opted for a career in art, and started working as a magazine illustrator and posterist in London. In 1893, he moved to Paris, at first staying with illustrations; but between 1895 and 1900, he became intensely involved with posters, and during this brief period produced some of the most sensuous designs ever used in advertising up to that time. His loving tributes to feminine pulchritude identify his poster instantly; he could and did paint in oils as well, predictably choosing the same ravishing beauties for his subjects. In 1900, Pal made another abrupt move: he went to the United States, and for the remainder of his life worked in applied graphics: at first magazines, later ads and publicity for the auto, film and animation industries.