Dick Bruna

Dick Bruna
Born Hendrik Magdalenus (Dick) Bruna
(1927-08-23) August 23, 1927
Utrecht, Netherlands
Nationality Dutch
Known for Artist, Graphic Designer, Illustration, Children's Book Illustrator/Author
Notable work Miffy
Awards Golden Paintbrush

Dick Bruna (born August 23, 1927 in Utrecht) is a Dutch author, artist, illustrator and graphic designer.

Bruna is best known for his children's books which he authored and illustrated, now numbering over 200. His best known creation is Miffy (Nijntje in the original Dutch), a small rabbit drawn with heavy graphic lines, simple shapes and primary colors. Other recurring characters include Boris the little boy bear and Barbara his girlfriend, Poppy the kind pig lady and Snuffy the dog.[1] Additionally, Bruna has also created stories for characters such as Lottie, Farmer John, and Hettie Hedgehog.

Aside from his prolific catalog of children's books, Bruna also illustrated and designed book covers, posters and promotional materials for his father's publishing company A.W. Bruna and Zoon. His most popular designs graced the covers of the Zwarte Beertjes series of books.

Among his designs those for Simenon's Maigret are quite famous. They are typified by graphic silhouettes of a pipe on various backgrounds.

Biography

Dick Bruna's father eventually became the largest publisher in Netherlands. His company, A.W. Bruna & Zoon, had a bookstand at virtually every one of the country's abundant railway stations. His father's intentions were for Bruna to follow in his footsteps, but Bruna had different plans. Bruna's brother eventually took over the business, but Dick Bruna always remained a close collaborator.

Miffy character by Dick Bruna

In 1955, while on holiday with his wife Irene and their child, he saw a rabbit hopping around their house and later made attempts to draw it, thereby creating Miffy. "Miffy" is the English-language name, whereas "Nijntje" (pronounced nein-che) is the original Dutch name of the rabbit, stemming from "konijntje" which is the diminutive form of "konijn" (rabbit).

Over the years Bruna has illustrated over 2,000 covers and over 100 posters for the family business, A.W. Bruna & Zoon. His most recognized illustrations were for the Zwarte Beertjes (English: little black bears) series of books, including The Saint, James Bond, Simenon, and Shakespeare.

In July 2014 he announced his retirement; the rights to the Miffy character will not be sold.[2]

In March 2016 he was awarded the Max Velthuijs-prijs.[3]

Bibliography (as children's author)

Jules Maigret sculpture offered to Delfzijl, Netherlands by A.W. Bruna Uitgevers.

To date, Dick Bruna has published 120 children's book titles, the most recent being "Queen Miffy" in 2007.

As appeared in 'Dick Bruna' 2006, with edits made by Dolph Kohnstamm based on a conversation with Bruna.[4]

Influences

At a young age Bruna started drawing, but was also influenced by artists of other art forms. He drew covers for his school newspaper in Walt Disney style. Later he admired Rembrandt and Van Gogh.

The biggest influence was perhaps Matisse. Dick Bruna's first works were based on collages by the French painter. Bruna has also been noted to have been influenced by the Dutch graphic design movement, De Stijl, in particular the work of architect Gerrit Rietveld.[5]

Partial list of Biographies/Monographs[6]

Articles, Features and Art Annuals

See also

Hello Kitty - Reception

References/Notes

  1. ↑ Modeled after Bruna's Pet dog. Mercis bv. "Dick Bruna Official website". Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  2. ↑ Zech, Maxime (30 July 2014). "Nijntje creator Dick Bruna retires". NLTimes. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  3. ↑ "Dick Bruna krijgt de Max Velthuijs-prijs voor zijn hele oeuvre" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. 16 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  4. ↑ Linders, Joke; Joke Linders; Koosje Sierman; Ivo de Wijs; Truusje Vrooland-Löb (2006). Dick Bruna (English Edition). Waanders Publisher, Zwolle/Mercis Publishing, Amsterdam. ISBN 90-400-8342-8.
  5. ↑ Allardice, Lisa (2006-02-15). "Children's and teenager's books (Children's books genre),Books,Culture,Ireland (News),Europe (News)". London: The Guardian UK. pp. 12–27. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  6. ↑ There are several books published in both Japanese and Dutch where the information was scarce and not verifiable; these books have NOT been included
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