Angelo Asti (1847-1903) was an Italian painter known for his captivating portraits, often featuring beautiful women with Italian undertones. Although he is sometimes associated with Parisian artists, Asti was actually born in Milan, Italy. His works gained recognition worldwide, even though relatively little is known about his life. One of his notable pieces, “Colette”, became famous as the subject of the very first Brown & Bigelow Pretty Girl calendar published in 1904, selling over 1.5 million copies. Asti’s lithography art also appeared in advertisements for Le Houblon cigarette papers, a historical brand. Asti’s work was influenced by the Art Nouveau movement, and he often depicted his subjects in flowing gowns and with stylized features. He was particularly known for his paintings of young women, which were often considered to be both beautiful and sensual. Collectors seek out his portrait paintings, and “Nue à la Libellule” sold at Christie’s New York in 2003 for over $9,500.