A great draftsman has passed away …
The “father of the hidden object books” Ali Mitgutsch (86) has died. The cult artist’s son confirmed this to the “Bavarian Broadcasting“.
The winner of the German Youth Book Prize (1969) created more than 70 books, posters and puzzles in his lifetime. The native of Munich is said to never have left his house without a pen and paper.
Mitgutsch’s career began with an apprenticeship as a lithographer. He later studied at the graphic academy in Munich.
The drawings can do without words: Ali Mitgutsch’s “Wimmel Books” celebrated great successes in Germany and around the worldFoto: picture alliance / dpa
Child psychologist Kurt Seelmann is said to have given him the idea for his books in 1960. Mitgutsch was supposed to draw a special kind of children’s book. This is how his famous Wimmel books came about.
Every double page in his books brings together many small scenes in one big picture. The first book in the series was called “All around in my city” and was published in 1968 by Ravensburger Verlag.
Ali Mitgutsch holds one of his works in his hands – a scene in the zooFoto: picture-alliance/ dpa/dpaweb
The sales figures of his works are staggering to this day: a total of five million copies were sold in Germany. Abroad there were more than three million.
In an interview on his 80th birthday, Ali Mitgutsch said loudly “BR“:“ Every single hidden object is a part of me. My hidden object books are made to lead the children into the gardens of the imagination, so that they can carry on themselves. “
His publisher Ravensburger announced in an appreciation: “Cheeky, funny, loving – Ali Mitgutsch’s view of the world, the magic of everyday life was unique, has inspired generations of children and adults and made him the ‘father of hidden objects’.” Publishing company bow to “his friend and long-time author”.
In 2017 the artist retired. His son Florian (58), who confirmed his death, also works as an illustrator and designer.