Tomi Ungerer
Encyclopedia
Jean-Thomas "Tomi" Ungerer (born November 28, 1931) is a French
illustrator best known for his erotic and political illustrations as well as children's books.
, France
. His mother Alice moved to Logelbach, near Colmar, after the death of Tomi's father, Theodore — an artist, engineer, and astronomical clock manufacturer — in 1936. Ungerer also lived through the German occupation of Alsace and the requisitioning of the family home by the Wehrmacht
.
As a young man, Ungerer was inspired by the illustrations appearing in The New Yorker
magazine, particularly the work of Saul Steinberg
.) Ungerer moved to the United States
in 1956. The following year, he published his first children's book for Harper & Row, The Mellops Go Flying. He also did illustration work for such publications as The New York Times
, Esquire
, Life
, Harper's Bazaar
, The Village Voice
, and for television during this time, and began to create posters denouncing the Vietnam War
.
Upon the publication of Ungerer's children's book Moon Man in 1966, Maurice Sendak
called it "easily one of the best picture books in recent years."
After Allumette; A Fable, with Due Respect to Hans Christian Andersen, the Grimm Brothers, and the Honorable Ambrose Bierce in 1974, he ceased writing children's books, focusing instead on adult-level books, many of which focused on sexuality. He eventually returned to children's literature with Flix 1998. Ungerer donated many of the manuscripts and artwork for his early children’s books to the Children’s Literature Research Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia
.
In 1998, Ungerer was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award
for illustration.
In 2007, his hometown dedicated a museum to him, the Musée Tomi Ungerer/Centre International de l’Illustration
.
Ungerer currently divides his time between Ireland
(where he and his wife moved in 1976), and Strasbourg. In addition to his work as a graphic artist and 'drawer', he is also a designer, toy collector and "archivist of human absurdity."
and against animal cruelty, eroticism
, and imaginative subjects for children's books.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
illustrator best known for his erotic and political illustrations as well as children's books.
Biography
Tomi Ungerer was born in StrasbourgStrasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. His mother Alice moved to Logelbach, near Colmar, after the death of Tomi's father, Theodore — an artist, engineer, and astronomical clock manufacturer — in 1936. Ungerer also lived through the German occupation of Alsace and the requisitioning of the family home by the Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
.
As a young man, Ungerer was inspired by the illustrations appearing in The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
magazine, particularly the work of Saul Steinberg
Saul Steinberg
Saul Steinberg was a Romanian-born American cartoonist and illustrator, best known for his work for The New Yorker.-Biography:...
.) Ungerer moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1956. The following year, he published his first children's book for Harper & Row, The Mellops Go Flying. He also did illustration work for such publications as The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, Esquire
Esquire (magazine)
Esquire is a men's magazine, published in the U.S. by the Hearst Corporation. Founded in 1932, it flourished during the Great Depression under the guidance of founder and editor Arnold Gingrich.-History:...
, Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
, Harper's Bazaar
Harper's Bazaar
Harper’s Bazaar is an American fashion magazine, first published in 1867. Harper’s Bazaar is published by Hearst and, as a magazine, considers itself to be the style resource for “women who are the first to buy the best, from casual to couture.”...
, The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
, and for television during this time, and began to create posters denouncing the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Upon the publication of Ungerer's children's book Moon Man in 1966, Maurice Sendak
Maurice Sendak
Maurice Bernard Sendak is an American writer and illustrator of children's literature. He is best known for his book Where the Wild Things Are, published in 1963.-Early life:...
called it "easily one of the best picture books in recent years."
After Allumette; A Fable, with Due Respect to Hans Christian Andersen, the Grimm Brothers, and the Honorable Ambrose Bierce in 1974, he ceased writing children's books, focusing instead on adult-level books, many of which focused on sexuality. He eventually returned to children's literature with Flix 1998. Ungerer donated many of the manuscripts and artwork for his early children’s books to the Children’s Literature Research Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia
Free Library of Philadelphia
The Free Library of Philadelphia is the public library system serving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-History:History of the Free Library of Philadelphia: Initiated by the efforts of Dr...
.
In 1998, Ungerer was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award
Hans Christian Andersen Award
The Hans Christian Andersen Award, sometimes known as the "Nobel Prize for children's literature", is an international award given biennially by the International Board on Books for Young People in recognition of a "lasting contribution to children's literature"...
for illustration.
In 2007, his hometown dedicated a museum to him, the Musée Tomi Ungerer/Centre International de l’Illustration
Musée Tomi Ungerer/Centre international de l’illustration
Musée Tomi Ungerer/Centre international de l’illustration is a museum in Strasbourg in the Bas-Rhin department of France. Opened in Novembre 2007, it is dedicated to the work of Strasbourg-born artist Tomi Ungerer and displays 8,000 graphic works of all kind by Ungerer and some of his most famous...
.
Ungerer currently divides his time between Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
(where he and his wife moved in 1976), and Strasbourg. In addition to his work as a graphic artist and 'drawer', he is also a designer, toy collector and "archivist of human absurdity."
Overview of work
Tomi Ungerer describes himself first and foremost as a story teller and satirist. Prevalent themes in his work include political satire such as drawings and posters against the Vietnam WarVietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and against animal cruelty, eroticism
Eroticism
Eroticism is generally understood to refer to a state of sexual arousal or anticipation of such – an insistent sexual impulse, desire, or pattern of thoughts, as well as a philosophical contemplation concerning the aesthetics of sexual desire, sensuality and romantic love...
, and imaginative subjects for children's books.
Children's books
- The Mellops Go Flying (1957)
- Mellops Go Diving for Treasure (1957)
- Crictor (1958)
- The Mellops Strike Oil (1958)
- Adelaide (1959)
- Christmas Eve at the Mellops (1960)
- Emile (1960)
- Rufus (1961)
- The Three RobbersThe Three RobbersThe Three Robbers is a children's book by Tomi Ungerer. The book was adapted as a full length feature film by Hayo Freitag, released in mid-2007. There was also a 6-minute version released in 1972 by Gene Deitch.-Plot:...
(1961) - Snail, Where Are You? (1962)
- Mellops Go Spelunking (1963)
- Flat StanleyFlat StanleyFlat Stanley is a 1964 children's book written by Jeff Brown and originally illustrated by Tomi Ungerer. It is the first in a series of books featuring Stanley Lambchop.-Synopsis:...
(1964) — art by Tomi Ungerer, written by Jeff BrownJeff BrownJeff Randall Brown is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL from the mid 1980s to late 1990s.... - One, Two, Where's My Shoe? (1964)
- Beastly Boys and Ghastly Girls (1964) — art by Tomi Ungerer, poems collected by William ColeWilliam ColeWilliam Cole may refer to:* William Cole, 3rd Earl of Enniskillen , known as Viscount Cole* William Cole , Dean of Lincoln Cathedral and President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford...
- Oh, What Nonsense! (1966) — art by Tomi Ungerer, edited by William Cole
- Orlando, the Brave Vulture (1966)
- What's Good for a 4-Year-Old? (1967) — art by Tomi Ungerer, text by William Cole
- Moon Man (Der Mondmann) (Diogenes Verlag AG Zürich, 1966)
- Zeralda's Ogre (1967)
- Ask Me a Question (1968)
- The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1969) — text by Barbara Hazen
- Oh, How Silly! (1970) — art by Tomi Ungerer, edited by William Cole
- The Hat (1970)
- I Am Papa Snap and These Are My Favorite No Such StoriesI Am Papa Snap and These Are My Favorite No Such StoriesI Am Papa Snap and These Are My Favorite No Such Stories is a collection of absurd stories, aimed at children, written and illustrated by prolific French author Tomi Ungerer....
(1971) - The Beast of Monsieur Racine (1971)
- The Hut (1972)
- Oh, That's Ridiculous! (1972) — art by Tomi Ungerer, edited by William Cole
- No Kiss for Mother (1973)
- Allumette; A Fable, with Due Respect to Hans Christian Andersen, the Grimm Brothers, and the Honorable Ambrose Bierce (1974)
- Tomi Ungerer's HeidiHeidiHeidi is a Swiss work of fiction, published in two parts as Heidi's years of learning and travel and Heidi makes use of what she has learned.It is a novel about the events in the life of a young girl in her grandfather's care, in the Swiss Alps...
: The Classic Novel (1997) — art by Tomi Ungerer, text by Johanna SpyriJohanna SpyriJohanna Spyri was an author of children's stories, and is best known for her book Heidi. Born Johanna Louise Heusser in the rural area of Hirzel, Switzerland, as a child she spent several summers in the area around Chur in Graubünden, the setting she later would use in her novels.-Biography:In... - Flix (1998)
- Tortoni Tremelo the Cursed Musician (1998)
- Otto: Biography of a Teddy Bear (1999)
- Zloty (2009)
Adult books
- Der Herzinfarkt (1962)
- The Underground Sketchbook (1964)
- The Party (1966)
- Fornicon (1969)
- Tomi Ungerer's Compromises (1970)
- Poster Art of Tomi Ungerer (1972)
- America (1974)
- Totempole (1976)
- Babylon (1979)
- Cat-Hater's Handbook, Or, The Ailurophobe's Delight (1981) — co-authored by William Cole
- Symptomatics (1982)
- Rigor Mortis (1983)
- Slow Agony (1983)
- Heute hier, morgen fort (1983)
- Far out Isn't Far Enough (1984)
- Femme Fatale (1984)
- Schwarzbuch (1984)
- Joy of Frogs (1985)
- Warteraum (1985)
- Schutzengel der Hölle (1986)
- Cats As Cats Can (1997)
- Tomi: A Childhood Under the Nazis (1998)
- Liberal Arts: The Political Art of Tomi Ungerer (1999)
- Erotoscope (2002)
List of exhibitions
- BerlinBerlinBerlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, 1962. Posters against racismRacismRacism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
and the Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
Other works
- Design of Dr. Strangelove film poster (1964)
- Design of the logo for the ill-fated Broadway musical KellyKelly (musical)Kelly is a musical with a book and lyrics by Eddie Lawrence and music by Mark Charlap. It was inspired by Steve Brodie, who in 1886 claimed to have jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge and survived...
(1965) - Design of the Janus Aqueduct in StrasbourgStrasbourgStrasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
(1988)
Quotes
- "If people were brave enough to live out their erotic fantasies, pornography would disappear altogether. I've always believed that eroticism, even more than sensuality, is a form of liberation." — Erotoscope
External links
- Official site
- The Musée Tomi Ungerer
- Biography translated from an exhibition in HanoverHanoverHanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
- Tomi Ungerer: The Artist and His Background (1971)