NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Following in the footsteps of the Dutch Masters Rembrandt van Rijn, Piet Mondrian and Vincent van Gogh, the world famous artist Dick Bruna is going to have his own museum. Within Holland's powerful, visual traditions of the 17th century, Dick Bruna has developed a powerful, visual style that has made him what he is today: A modern Dutch Master. From February 18, 2006, Bruna's entire work will have a permanent home in the dick bruna huis in Utrecht.
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A modern Dutch Master
Dick Bruna's work (born Utrecht 1927) is characterized by a simple and direct style of drawing. He became famous with his creation of 'miffy', the cartoon bunny, who grew over a period of 50 years to become an international phenomenon as a character in children's books and as a design icon. Dick Bruna's books have been translated into more than 40 languages and 85 million copies have been sold worldwide. In addition to the picture books, the exhibition, which covers over 4,000 square feet of the dick bruna huis, also displays a selection from his 2,000 book covers, over 100 posters and dozens of postcards and pictures. A documentary gives an overview of his working process and it also shows Bruna's lifelong aim for directness and simplicity.
From Rembrandt to Dick Bruna
Holland has produced many great masters, such as Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer in the Golden Age, but also more modern artists like Vincent van Gogh and Piet Mondrian. All of them conquered the world by using a powerful, visual style.
The search for austerity is a common thread throughout history; from Rembrandt's austere self-portraits and Vermeer's still compositions to Mondrian's primary colors and straight lines. From an early age, Dick Bruna came into contact with the work of Rembrandt and Van Gogh, whose lives and works have greatly inspired him throughout his career. With its clear lines and vivid colors, Dick Bruna's work is particularly associated with that of Dutch artists such as Piet Mondrian and Gerrit Rietveld.
dick bruna huis in historic Utrecht
The dick bruna huis is part of the Centraal Museum in Utrecht, which has existed since 1838, making it the oldest municipal museum in Holland. The museum's collection of Rietveld-designs, including the world-famous Rietveld Schroderhuis, is the largest in the world. The art collection includes highlights from the works of Saenredam, Scorel and the Utrecht Caravaggists such as Ter Brugghen and Honthorst. Furthermore, the Centraal Museum boasts modern and contemporary art, design and fashion. The dick bruna huis is situated opposite the Centraal Museum in the Utrecht Museum district, the historic center of the city.
Address dick bruna huis Agnietenstraat 2 in Utrecht, T + 31(0)30-236.2392, www.holland.com/miffy Opening hours dick bruna huis and shop The dick bruna huis is open to the public from February 18, 2006. Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm (closed on Jan. 1, April 29 and Dec. 25) Admission EUR 8 adults, EUR 2 age 1-12, EUR 5 age 13-17, EUR 5 students A ticket to the dick bruna huis is also valid for entrance to the Centraal Museum.
For more information and visual material please contact Irma Jansen at the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions, 212-370-7360 ext. 24, ibjansen@holland.com.
