Dick Bruna
Dick Bruna: A Life of Illustration and Imagination
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Dick Bruna was born Hendrikus Dirk Bruna on February 4, 1927. He is commonly known as Dick Bruna.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: February 4, 1927
Died: January 17, 2017 (aged 89)
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Dick Bruna was a Dutch illustrator, writer, and publisher. He is best known for creating the beloved character Miffy.
Early Life and Background
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Bruna was born in Utrecht, Netherlands, to Hendrikus and Johanna Bruna. His father was a merchant and his mother a homemaker. Bruna's early life was marked by a love of drawing and storytelling. He began drawing at a young age and would often illustrate the stories he wrote.
After completing his education, Bruna worked as an illustrator for various publications. In 1955, he founded his own publishing company, Cordon, which would go on to publish many of his famous works.
Major Accomplishments
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Bruna's greatest accomplishment is undoubtedly creating Miffy, a lovable rabbit character who has become a global phenomenon. Bruna wrote and illustrated the first Miffy book in 1955, and over the years, more than 80 Miffy books have been published.
In addition to his work with Miffy, Bruna was also a prolific illustrator of children's books. He worked on numerous projects, including the popular "Bert en Bertie" series.
Notable Works or Actions
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Bruna's notable works include:
_Miffy_ (1955) - the first book featuring the beloved character
_Bert en Bertie_ (1962-1971) - a series of children's books that Bruna both wrote and illustrated
* _The Miffy Series_ (1955-2017) - a collection of over 80 books featuring Miffy
Impact and Legacy
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Dick Bruna's impact on the world of illustration and children's literature cannot be overstated. His creation, Miffy, has become a global icon, beloved by millions of children around the world.
Bruna's unique style, which blended simplicity with elegance, influenced generations of illustrators. His commitment to creating high-quality children's books helped pave the way for future authors and illustrators.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Dick Bruna is widely quoted and remembered for his innovative approach to illustration and storytelling. His creations continue to captivate audiences, inspiring new generations of readers and artists.
As a writer, illustrator, and publisher, Bruna's contributions to the world of children's literature are immeasurable. His legacy serves as a reminder of the power of imagination and creativity in shaping the lives of young people around the world.
Quotes by Dick Bruna
Now, I had been drawing all this time – especially in France of course – so, when I came back, my father gave me the chance to do a cover for one of the books he published.
When I make a book, I make it for the child and not for the parent – no jokes in it for the parents!
I did about 2000 covers altogether, for all sorts of books – from Shakespeare to James Bond – and I always had the idea that I must give 100%, no matter who the author was.
Then one day I thought it would be wonderful to make a whole book, to make my text and my drawings together, and that’s how I started doing children’s books.
However, my father was a publisher and it was expected that I would become a publisher as well - in his firm.
Before he went to sleep, I told him a little story about a rabbit we saw run around the beach house we rented.
Then one day I thought it would be nice to try to draw that rabbit and make a little story of it - and that's how Miffy started.
A few years ago, I had an exhibition at a museum in Holland where, for the very first time, I saw how much Miffy had changed over the years.