Hugo Pratt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hugo Pratt
1989
Born	Ugo Eugenio Prat (1927-06-15)15 June 1927 Rimini, Italy
Died	20 August 1995(1995-08-20) (aged 68) Grandvaux, Switzerland
Nationality	Italian
Area(s)	Writer, Artist
Notable works	Corto Maltese Gli scorpioni del deserto Jesuit Joe
Awards	full list

Ugo Eugenio Prat, better known as Hugo Pratt (born June 15, 1927 – died August 20, 1995), was a famous Italian comic book creator. He was known for telling exciting stories and doing a lot of research. His most famous work is Corto Maltese. In 2005, he was added to the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame. This is a special honor for comic book artists. In 1946, Hugo Pratt joined a group of artists called the "Group of Venice."

Who Was Hugo Pratt?

His Early Life

Hugo Pratt was born in Rimini, Italy. He grew up in Venice in a family with many different backgrounds. His family came from places like England, France, Turkey, and even had some Jewish roots.

In 1937, when he was 10, Hugo moved to Ethiopia with his mother. His father had moved there earlier. During World War II, his father was captured by British troops. He later died in 1942. Hugo and his mother were held in a camp. There, he bought comics from the guards. Later, the Red Cross helped them return to Italy.

After the war, Pratt went back to Venice. He helped organize fun events for the Allied soldiers. He then joined the 'Venice Group' with other Italian cartoonists. They started a magazine called Asso di Picche (Ace of Spades). This magazine featured adventure comics. His character, Asso di Picche, became very popular in Argentina. Because of this, Pratt was invited to Argentina in 1949.

Adventures in Argentina

Pratt in 1989.

In the late 1940s, Hugo Pratt moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina. He worked for a publisher there. He met other great comic artists like Alberto Breccia. He also taught drawing at an art school.

During this time, he traveled a lot in South America. He visited places like the Amazon rainforest. He started writing and drawing his own comics. These included Anna della jungla (Ann of the Jungle) and Capitan Cormorant. He also worked on Wheeling.

Back to Italy and Corto Maltese

From 1959 to 1960, Pratt lived in London. He drew war comics for a British company. Then he returned to Argentina. But times were tough there. So, in 1962, he moved back to Italy.

In Italy, he worked for a children's comic magazine. He adapted classic adventure stories like Treasure Island.

In 1967, Pratt created his most famous story: Una ballata del mare salato (A Ballad of the Salt Sea). This story introduced his most famous character, Corto Maltese.

Corto Maltese's adventures continued in a French magazine. Pratt used his family history and love for history in his stories. Many of his comics take place in real historical times. They feature real events, like wars and famous people. Pratt did a lot of research for his stories. This made them feel very real. Some characters in his comics are based on real historical figures.

Other important series he created include Gli scorpioni del deserto and Jesuit Joe. He also wrote stories for his friend Milo Manara.

Later Years and Legacy

From 1970 to 1984, Pratt lived mostly in France. Corto Maltese became very popular there. His stories were translated into many languages. From 1984 to 1995, he lived in Switzerland. His fame continued to grow around the world.

Hugo Pratt loved to travel. He explored places from Canada to Patagonia, and from Africa to the Pacific. He passed away on August 20, 1995.

Pratt was inspired by many writers. These included Robert Louis Stevenson and Joseph Conrad. He also admired cartoonists like Will Eisner.

In 2005, Hugo Pratt was honored. He was inducted into the Comic Book Hall of Fame. After his death, other artists continued some of his series. New Corto Maltese books have also been released.

Awards and Recognition

• 1969: Gran Guinigi [it] award for an Italian artist at the Festival of Lucca, Italy.
• 1974: Prix Saint-Michel, for the best realistic story.
• 1976: Angoulême Festival, Best foreign realistic comic book.
• 1981: Angoulême Festival, Elle award.
• 1987: Angoulême Festival, Best foreign comic book.
• 1988: Angoulême Festival, 15th anniversary special Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême.
• 1996: Max & Moritz Prizes, Germany, Best German language comic import.
• 2005: Inducted into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame.

Famous Works by Hugo Pratt

• Asso di Picche (Ace of Spades, 1945–1949)
• El Sargento Kirk (Sgt. Kirk, 1953–1959)
• Ticonderoga (1957–1958)
• Ernie Pike (1957–1959)
• Ann y Dan (Ann of the Jungle, 1959)
• Capitan Cormorant (1962)
• Wheeling (1962)
• Corto Maltese (1967–1992)
  • Una ballata del mare salato (1967)
  • Il segreto di Tristan Bantam (1970)
  • Corto toujours un peu plus loin (1970-1971)
  • Le Celtiche (1972)
  • Le Etiopiche (1972–1973)
  • Corte Sconta detta Arcana (1974)
  • Favola di Venezia (1976)
  • La casa dorata di Samarcanda (1980)
  • La giovinezza (1981)
  • Tango (1985)
  • Le elvetiche "Rosa Alchemica" (1987)
  • Mu (1988)
• Gli scorpioni del deserto (The Scorpions of the Desert, 1969–92)
  • Les Scorpions du désert (Episode 1, 1969–73)
  • Piccolo chalet... (1975)
  • Vanghe Dancale (1980)
  • Dry Martini Parlor (1982)
  • Brise de mer (1992)
• L'uomo dei Caraibi (1977)
• L'uomo del Sertao (1977)
• L'uomo della Somalia (1979)
• L'uomo del gran nord - Jesuit Joe (1980)
• Tutto ricominciò con un'estate indiana (Indian Summer, 1983, with Milo Manara)
• Cato Zulu (1984–88)
• El Gaucho (1991), with Milo Manara
• Saint-Exupéry - le dernier vol (1994)
• Morgan (1995)

See Also

In Spanish: Hugo Pratt para niños

• Italian comics
• Letteratura disegnata