Dick Bruna

This latest volume in the successful 'Illustrators' series examines the life and work of Dutch artist Dick Bruna (1927-2017), creator of the world-famous children's character Miffy. However, as this book shows, Bruna's work extends beyond the thirty-two Miffy books, including not only more than ninety other illustrated books but also around 2,000 book covers for the family publishing firm of A. W. Bruna & Zoon. These covers, many for well-known detective stories, revealed Bruna's eye for colour and ability to achieve immediate visual impact, which also made him an outstanding poster and stamp designer. Ingman and Reihill show how the simple complexity of Bruna's work appeals to children, artists and designers alike, capturing the imagination across ages and artistic disciplines. The book includes previously unpublished drawings and paintings from Bruna's personal archive, dating from when he began sketching and painting as a boy in wartime Holland. The development of the character of Miffy is illustrated and there are photographs of Bruna from throughout his life and of his studio in Utrecht.