| Description | Jean-Marie Bosc (1924-1973) was a French cartoonist popular in France but also recognised in Germany and the UK. He considered one of the fathers of French cartoons alongside various other artists represented in the Coleman collection, such as Chaval, Sempé and Siné. Although often dealing with serious issues or themes, such as politics, war and colonialism, his work uses gentle and accessible humour. Although successful Bosc suffered illness at an early age and therefore was less prolific than his contemporaries. Coleman accumulated a small but comprehensive collection.
Yvan Le Louarn, known as Chaval (Feb 1915 - Jan 1960) was one of France's most celebrated cartoonists in the 1930s-1950s. In addition to a successful career as graphic designer and illustrater Cheval regularly published humourous popular cartoon anthologies based on specific subjects, such as holidays, animals, motoring, etc. During the time of the Second World War France Chaval contributed drawings for publication in Le Progrès, a Vichy newspaper. It was only until decades later after Chaval's suicide that these drawings reappeared and discovered to have a somewhat racist and anti-Semitic slant. The publications in the Coleman collection are decidedly non-political and non-ideological, and are representative of the artist's more popular commercial output.
Maurice Henry (1907-1984). In addition to being a cartoonist Henry was a painter, poet, sculptor, playwright and notable member of the surrealist art movement. Indeed Henry was noted as the first artist to know how to adapt a comic strip to Surrealism. Accordingly Henry's work embodies two major themes of the Coleman's art, illustration and humour collection, cartoons and surrealism. The majority of Henry's work in the collection is comprised of cartoon anthologies and provides a comprehensive review of the artist's output in this medium. Additionally there are a few books, including an exhibition catalogue and a book of portraits of French literary figures, which demonstrate the scope of Henry's ability in paint and sculpture.
Kamagurka (May, 1956 - present) and Heer Seele (Mar, 1959 - present) are Belgian surrealists who work in illustration, paint, music and television. Distinguished artists in their own right together they collaborate together on the popular absurdist adult cartoon strip 'Cowboy Henk'. Written by Kamagurka and illustrated by Herr Seele 'Cowboy Henk' depicts a blonde haired muscle bound character who finds himself in various one-page surreal and unusual adventures. The artwork itself is simple and the overall drawing style is akin to that of the Beano or Dandy with fantastic scenarios taking place amongst mundane brickwork streets or parkland. Whilst only a few Cowboy Henk books have been translated into English from Flemish, their visual and vibrant comedy is easily recognizable and understandable. Evidently Coleman was a dedicated Cowboy Henk fan and managed to accumulate an impressive collection of books despite their rarity in the UK.
Jean-Jacques Sempé, usually known as Sempé (17 August 1932 - present), is a French cartoonist and illustrator known his panoramic drawings and style described as quintessentially French. A French national institution, Sempé came to international recognition through his frequent contributions to the 'New Yorker' magazine, which includes several covers. Common themes in his illustrations are cityscapes of Parisian rooftops or American skyscrapers as well as lush green forests and countryside. Like Coleman Sempé was a cycling aficiando and the sport is a recurring theme in his work. With his gentle humor and optimistic tone Sempé is amongst the least provocative artist in the European part of Coleman's art, illustration and humour collection.
Maurice Sinet known as Siné (31 December 1928 - present) is a French cartoonist and illustration known for his anarchistic, anti-establishment work. Eager to provoke reaction, much of Sine's work is of sexual, scatological, anti-religious or violent nature. Indeed out of all the artists in Coleman's collection Siné is arguably the most explicit. In contrast Siné is also widely recognised for his relatively gentle, innocuous cartoons of cats with accompanying feline-related puns. Like Coleman, Siné had a considerable appreciation for cats and one of the more unique items in the collection is a set of porcelain dishes featuring the artist's cat character. Also present in the collection are several issues of Siné's magazine 'Siné Massacre'.
Roland Topor (7 January 1938 - 16 April 1997) was a French surrealist who worked in illustration, paint, music and film. Of Polish Jewish origin his family fled to Switzerland at the outbreak of the Second World War. A traumatic childhood led to his work often incorporating elements of dark humour, morbid and violent imagery, and themes of alienation. Amongst Topor's most notable works are the Kafkaesque novel 'The Tenant', which was adapted for screen by Roman Polanski, and being the co-writer of the cult French animation 'La Planète sauvage' (1973). However it was Topor's illustration and artwork which appears to have interested Coleman as there primarily art books and collected art anthologies in the collection. Amongst his collection are several rare and out-of-print compilations of the artist's designs and drawings. The obvious expense and effort Coleman expended to accumulate such a significant Topor collection demonstrates the extent of his admiration for his fellow European surrealist.
Jean-Thomas "Tomi" Ungerer (born 28 November 1931 - present) is a French illustrator and a writer in three languages. He has published over 140 books ranging from much loved children's books to controversial adult work and from the fantastic to the autobiographical. He is known for sharp social satire and, like Coleman, was fond of incorporating aphorisms into his work. Although small, Coleman's Ungerer collection provides a sound overview of the artist's more adult-themed output.
Additional items in the European art, illustration and humour collection vary between cartoon and comic art to more esoteric Surrealist art. Some cartoonists which feature in the collection but are represented to a lesser extent include Roger Tetsu, Alain Trez, Mose and André François. |