Illustrator and artist
He was the “father of the hidden object books”: Ali Mitgutsch is dead
© Rolf Vennenbernd / / Picture Alliance
For decades his “Wimmel Books” told colorful stories from everyday life without any words. Now the illustrator and artist Ali Mitgutsch has died at the age of 86.
Every child and probably most adults in Germany should be familiar with his hidden object books: Ali Mitgutsch created his own genre with his works. The illustrator and artist died in Munich on Monday evening at the age of 86, his friend and biographer Ingmar Gregorzewski told the German Press Agency on Tuesday, citing the family of the deceased.
The magic of everyday life
The Ravensburger Verlag had previously reported on Mitgutsch’s death, citing Gregorzewski and literary agent Oliver Brauer. “Cheeky, funny, loving – Ali Mitgutsch’s view of the world, of the magic of everyday life, was unique, has inspired generations of children and adults and made him the” father of hidden objects “, said Ravensburger in an appreciation. The publisher bow “to his friend and long-time author”.
Two pages from the book “My most beautiful Wimmel picture book”
© Ravensburger Buchverlag / Picture Alliance
Mitgutsch’s Wimmel Books have been telling wonderful everyday stories for decades without words and in a colorful way – from the swimming pool, the farm, the mountains or the city. “He was Schwabinger through and through, looked curiously and with a keen eye for details and curiosities at the world around him,” said Ravensburger. “The humorous and often unmasking look at mishaps, absurdities and the comic in everyday life and relationships flowed into his” self-telling storybooks “, as he called his hidden worlds.”
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5 pictures
More than 70 books, posters and puzzles
Ali Mitgutsch was born in Munich on August 21, 1935. He began his career as a graphic designer, as Ravensburger announced. In 1968 his first book “All around in my city” appeared in the publishing house. More than 70 books, posters and puzzles have appeared with his figures and drawings.
Mitgutsch got food for his pictures on forays through the city. “I always have a small pad and a pen with me and quickly draw sketches that I will work with later,” he once said in an interview with the German Press Agency.