Dick Bruna facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dick Bruna
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Bruna in his studio in 2007
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| Born |
Hendrik Magdalenus Bruna
23 August 1927 Utrecht, Netherlands
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| Died | 16 February 2017 (aged 89) Utrecht, Netherlands
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| Nationality | Dutch |
| Known for | Artist, graphic designer, illustrator/author of children's books |
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Notable work
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Miffy |
| Spouse(s) | Irene de Jongh (m: 1953) |
| Awards | Golden Paintbrush |
Dick Bruna (born Hendrik Magdalenus Bruna, August 23, 1927 – February 16, 2017) was a famous Dutch artist, author, and graphic designer. He is best known for creating over 200 children's books, which he both wrote and illustrated.
His most famous character is Miffy (called Nijntje in Dutch). Miffy is a small rabbit drawn with thick, simple lines and bright, basic colors. Dick Bruna also created stories for other characters like Lottie, Farmer John, and Hettie Hedgehog. Besides his children's books, Bruna designed many book covers, posters, and ads for his father's publishing company.
Contents
About Dick Bruna's Life
Dick Bruna's father, A. W. Bruna, ran the family's publishing company, Bruna. His father wanted Dick to join the business, but Dick had other plans. He wanted to be an artist.
Early Artistic Journey
Dick traveled to London and lived in Paris for a while. There, he was inspired by famous artists like Fernand Léger, Pablo Picasso, and especially Henri Matisse. When he returned to the Netherlands, he briefly attended the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten in Amsterdam. However, he soon left, saying he didn't feel he had a talent for painting or drawing perspective.
How Miffy Was Born
In 1955, while on a family vacation, Dick Bruna saw a rabbit hopping around. He tried to draw it later, and that's how "Nijntje" (Miffy) was created! "Nijntje" is a Dutch word that means "little rabbit."
Designing for Books and More
Dick Bruna illustrated over 2,000 book covers and more than 100 posters for his family's publishing company. His most recognized designs were for the Zwarte Beertjes (meaning "little black bears") series of books. These included popular characters like The Saint, James Bond, and books by Simenon and Shakespeare. He once said that the Japanese character Hello Kitty was copied from Miffy.
In 2014, Dick Bruna announced he was retiring. He passed away peacefully in his sleep in Utrecht on February 16, 2017, at 89 years old. In 2016, he received the Max Velthuijs-prijs, a special award for children's book illustrators.
What Inspired Dick Bruna?
From a young age, Dick Bruna loved to draw. He was also inspired by other artists. He drew covers for his school newspaper in a style similar to Walt Disney cartoons. Later, he admired Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Van Gogh.
Matisse and De Stijl
Perhaps the biggest influence on Bruna was Matisse. Dick Bruna's early works were based on the collages made by the French painter. Bruna was also influenced by a Dutch art movement called De Stijl. He especially liked the work of architect Gerrit Rietveld.
Images for kids
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Robot icon
See also
In Spanish: Dick Bruna para niños
