Rafael de Penagos: Master of Spanish Art Deco October 03, 2025 1900s , 1910s , 1920s , 1930s , illustration , work of art Rafael de Penagos (1889–1954) was a Spanish illustrator and painter, celebrated as one of the most important figures of early 20th-century graphic art. He is best remembered for his elegant and modernist poster designs, magazine illustrations, and advertising artwork that helped shape the visual culture of Spain in the 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s. Penagos’s work often depicted stylish women in fashionable dress, capturing the spirit of the “mujer moderna”—the modern woman—who embodied sophistication, independence, and glamour during Spain’s cultural awakening. His bold lines, refined color palettes, and Art Deco influence placed him among the leading illustrators of his generation. In addition to posters, he produced book illustrations, prints, and commercial art that combined beauty with acc...
