THE ILLUSTRATORS: MIROSLAV SAŠEK

Czech artist Miroslav Šašek (1916-1980) is renowned for his innovative approach to narrative non-fiction picture books, particularly his acclaimed ‘This Is’ series, which began in 1959 with This is Paris and eventually encompassed eighteen titles. With its unique visual vocabulary, this witty collection of travel guides, illustrating the life and culture of various cities and countries around the world from a child’s perspective, became hugely successful, winning numerous awards. The artist's charming travelogues continue to captivate both young and old, even in the digital age where travel imagery abounds.

Acclaimed author Martin Salisbury analyses Šašek’s techniques and shows how his work reflects not only his architectural training and the ideas of the mid-century European avant-garde.