BRUNA, Dick

(1927– )

   Graphic designer, artist, and writer of children’s books. Instead of succeeding his father as one of the great Dutch publishers, Bruna preferred a creative life, partially for the benefit of the company. His best-known creation is the little rabbit Nijntje (first appearing in 1955), renamed Miffy for the English market. He also designed book covers, for instance, those for the Dutch thriller author Havank (pseudonym of Henricus Fredericus “Hans” van der Kallen [1904–1964] and then of Pieter Terpstra [1919–2006], continuing the stories) and Georges Simenon’s Maigret, which books he also translated into Dutch. Bruna was influenced by, among others, the French painter Henri Matisse and Piet Mondrian. In 2006, the Dick Bruna House was opened in Utrecht as a museum for little children.