The 2021 year review for FAZ was illustrated by Lorenzo Petrantoni c/o 2AGENTEN in his very own style. We present you three motifs here on GoSee as well as a glimpse at the exciting portfolio of the graphic designer and Art Director living in Milan. Clients such as BBC, COCA COLA, DEUTSCHE POST DHL, NIKE, SAMSONITE, URBAN OUTFITTERS, VODADFONE or SWATCH appreciate his monochrome style of illustration, and he has published in THE NEW YORK TIMES, VOGUE, the WALL STREET JOURNAL or WASHINGTON POST.
“For me, print is just the best medium. I collect these old reference books, make copies of the images I like and then arrange them according to the laws of aesthetics and my training in graphics. I combine images with others that they share a relationship with, or that together determine a theme. I don’t know why the results are so popular – perhaps because the past is in fashion again (...). The combination of black and white has the greatest visual impact possible. If it’s used well, it is more powerful than a rainbow. Of course, it is also faithful to the 19th-century images I use – but on the other hand, I always find black and white completely timeless,” Lorenzo explains in an interview with FRAME MAG.
Lorenzo Petrantoni was born in Genoa in 1970. After studying Graphic Arts in Milan, he moved to France to work as an art director at Young & Rubicam. After returning to Italy, he went on to work with several of the greatest communication agencies. He then left the advertising world in order to fully dedicate his time to his illustrating career. His passion for graphic design and his fascination for the 19th century are combined in his illustrations and videos. He uses images from textbooks and dictionaries dating back to that period which he discovered while browsing at book shops. His distinctive and unmistakable illustrations breathe new life into words, images, events and characters which would otherwise be forgotten. He has worked as a designer and has used his art to create campaigns and videos for prestigious brands. He has worked with major newspapers and international magazines and has held exhibitions all around the world. He has won many prizes including V&A Illustration Awards, London International Awards, New York Festival, American Illustration, Cresta International Advertising Awards, etc. He now lives in Milan and is a member of the 59ème Demi Brigade de Ligne in Marengo, and he positively loves Perrier.
Interested in a working with him? Get in touch with 2AGENTEN.