Whilst researching fairy tales I found some beautiful and striking illustrations by Daniel Egnéus, which he did for the ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ book published in 2011. I was very lucky to be treated to a copy of my own.
Born in 1972 in Sweden, Egnéus has spent the last 20 years in Prague, London, Berlin, Bologna, Rome, Milano and has now made Athens, Greece his base. Egnéus has had no formal training and is the inventor of the style “Quotidiano-Straordinario.” A prolific artist, he has had successful collaborations with writers such as Neil Gaiman on his ‘American Gods Quartet’ which included more than 140 illustrations published worldwide.
"I've always wanted to illustrate Neil's stories, so I was very surprised and incredibly happy when Headline approached me. I knew his books very well, everything from Sandman, and American Gods to the short stories."
“I have always felt an affinity with the mystery, the horror and the magic of his visions. I saw this as an opportunity to add my perspective, to give it a visual darkness and attention to detail... a camera in the charnel house."
A quote from Egnéus’ website captures his work perfectly:
“Lucid, dreamy and vibrant illustrations reflect the enticing inner world of highly regarded artist, Daniel Egnéus. With no formal education except for life itself, Daniel sees everyday life and art as one inseparable whole. His work is an expression of his colourful and rich life in Milano and Rome, filled with friends and a wonderful girlfriend, and not least his daydreaming, which finds its way into his work, inspiring us with its beauty and depth.”
Athens
The children’s book The Thing written by Simon Puttock and illustrated by Egnéus was voted by The Guardian as one of the 50 best illustrated books 2016.
A regular collaborator with the National Theatre in Greece Egnéus has produced illustrated theatre programmes for ‘A Man for All Seasons’, ‘Edif Piaf and others.
A prolific artist, he has had successful collaborations with clients such as Haagen-Dasz, BMW, Pepsi Cola Espagna, Playboy, O2 UK, Deutsche Grammophone, Marie Claire, Time Magazine, Penguin Books, Philip Morris, Harper Collins, Quin Hotel NY, Victoria’s Secret, Drambuie Whiskey and Pori Jazz Festival for which he was voted best illustrator in March 2005 by the Association of Illustrators in the UK.