A love letter to Sempé
And why he was one of my favorite cartoonists
Hello friends, I hope August treated you well! It's a new month and it means a new issue of The Attic is ready.
Today a love letter to my favorite cartoonist, a very nice looking ad, a song about the letter J, a fun album cover, a colourful 1965 calendar and a sneezing book!
✧ An illustrator: Sempé ✧
I was going to feature Sempé at some point sooner or later because he is, without a doubt, one of my absolute favorite cartoonists, if not my favorite.
But as the news of his passing hit me last month, I wanted to dedicate this next issue to his work.
Jean-Jacques Sempé (1932 - 2022), was a French cartoonist, mostly known for the series of children's books he created with René Goscinny, Le Petit Nicolas. You may have probably read it or seen it when you were little, and if not, it will be an honor to introduce it to you today.
Sempé's work has the power to always put a smile on my face and make me laugh. No matter what, when I look at his drawings they always warm my heart and calm me. They bring me peace.
I absolutely love the way he drew children being children and adults being adults. He was a master. The illustration above is one of my favorites, I can definitely see my younger self in that picture.
I also find it really funny that there are lots of grumpy people in his drawings too.
My first contact with Sempé, like many others, was also through a copy of Le Petit Nicolas I found in my grandparents' home many years ago.
I used to go to the children's room where all the old toys were and, mostly, either look for a pencil and a notebook or books. That day it was a book El petit Nicolas i els companys (Le Petit Nicolas et les copains), I took it home with me that day and you can sometimes still find me re-reading the adventures of Nicolas and his friends.
Another thing I love are his beautiful covers. During decades, Sempé also illustrated for The New Yorker. Here are some of my favorites:
I can’t help but feel very sad knowing that there won’t be any more new drawings by Sempé, but I'm thankful he left tons of wonderful illustrations to remember him all the while putting a smile on our faces :)
I simply love Sempé.
✧ An ad: Pile Mazda ✧
✧ A short: The Letter J ✧
✧ An album cover: Chanukah Song Parade ✧
✧ A pocket calendar: 1965 ✧
✧ A book: The Day the Cow Sneezed ✧
That's all for today, I hope you like this month's selection. See you on the next issue!
✧ The links ✧
✦ Le Petit Nicolas, 1959 - Cocosse Journal
✦ Cover Story: Jean-Jacques Sempé’s Dancers - The New Yorker
✦ Cover Story: J. J. Sempé’s “Under the Same Hat” - The New Yorker
✦ Jean-Jacques Sempé exposition 2009 - Galerie Martine Gossieaux
✦ THE DAY THE COW SNEEZED - Verok Agency
Hey, let’s connect! I’m always loving your recommendations, if you have a suggestion, don’t hesitate to share it with me! You can find me on Instagram+ Twitter + Website :)
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