An international phenomenon, design icon and fashion brand; this is Miffy the rabbit. Rosie Khdir takes a look at the exhibition in Utrecht dedicated to her creator, Dick Bruna.

With 85 million copies sold worldwide and translations printed in 40 different languages, Miffy is one of the most famous pieces of art to come out of Utrecht.

Artist Dick Bruna made his name in simple picture books and his most famous character, Miffy, was crafted in 1955. In his career so far Bruna has made 120 picture books, designed more than two thousand book covers, over one hundred posters, postcards and prints and continues to work in Utrecht today.

The Centraal Museum in the city set up the Dick Bruna Huis in 2006 in honour of Bruna’s work, looking at his early career working in his father’s publishing house, right through to his poster commissions for Amnesty International. Documentary films demonstrate his working process and sketches and early designs show the development of characters over the years.

Pencil and ink drawings of Miffy as well as Bruna’s other characters such as the Zwarte Beertjes (Little Black Bears) are on show at the Dick Bruna Huis. There are delightful reading rooms and interactive guides as well as a huge golden Miffy statue! The gift shop is also not to be missed, as it is stocked full of adorable memorabilia.

In this exhibition you will see how Bruna developed simple designs that had high impact, using pictograms rather than illustrations. Simplicity was a Bruna’s main focus in his art and he pursued this within his picture books.

Dick Bruna is one of the few living Dutch artists who has enjoyed worldwide fame; his museum is an ideal afternoon filler whilst visiting Utrecht and is a great experience for children. Utrecht is proud of Bruna’s fluffy creation, so much so, that statues of her have been erected and even the green ‘walk’ signal at certain traffic lights has been changed to her silhouette!

The exhibition is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am- 5pm and guided tours are available for an extra fee.

——————-

Image credit: mark.groves

Tags: History, Lifestyle, Netherlands // Add Comment »