Tomi UNGERER, whose real name is Jean-Thomas UNGERER, was born on November 28, 1931 in Strasbourg and died on February 9, 2019 in Ireland.

He is an Alsatian painter, draftsman, illustrator and author. He is considered one of the most brilliant designers of his generation.

He started writing several children’s books in 1957 in New York. He also worked for the most famous newspapers in this same city (New-York Times…). He has published eighty children’s books in ten years.

Tomi UNGERER is especially famous for his works against the Vietnam War and racial segregation but also for his satirical and humorous drawings.

He was an observer of the society in which he lived. He is committed against all dictatorships and all forms of injustice.

In 1975, when he was in Ireland, he made a first donation of personal works and toys from his collection to the city of Strasbourg. From that moment, he invested a lot in his hometown (he created the “Janus fountain” installed behind the National Opera of the Rhine).

His burial ceremony took place at Notre Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg on February 15, 2019. At his request, half of his ashes rest in the St. Gallen cemetery in Strasbourg, the other half in Ireland.

A museum, named after him, was created in 2007 in Strasbourg. There are more than 11,000 personal works, as well as six thousand five hundred toys and games by the artist.