The Large Horrible Cartoonists
Once upon the time, in a crowded studio in the laundry of the modest home in a quiet suburb of Wilton, Connecticut, not so famous, but determined cartoonists was staring in the blank sheet of paper. The troubles with the eyes have already started – which is, of course, a big problem for a cartoonist. And other health problems were on the horizon. He had to support the family and take care of their material security. It It was time to prepare chestnuts for long, cold winter. He was earning money, but he was not ready for any medical disaster or for early retirement. He was 56 years and the only thing that he had success in doing was drawing funny pictures. So therefore he decided to go back to the inhospitable newspaper cellar and create his own comic character. This was a challenge of heroic proportions.
He remembered about some of the old Nordic legends that his aunt,which from Sweden, told him when he was a little boy. His arm started painting a Viking helmet with horns on top of a large round nose. The rest of the body just drew itself. The caricature of that barbarian stature was shrouded in a shabby bear skin, his shield damaged from the great campaigns in foreign countries and strange kingdoms, with ingrained beard from northern winds, some confused, and almost childish facial expression. Cartoonist looked straight in the eyes to the answer of all his troubles!
When good-hearten robber got a horrible name and his own clan, and his family – the cartoonists smiled and his idea of the comic was taken to the biggest newspaper association in the world – the “Kingfisher” praying to himself that they would buy it. After the usual hesitation and negotiation, Hagar the horrible was first accepted just by a couple of editors, followed by thousands of readers. Today Hagar number of fans counts in hundreds of millions. Hagar the Horrible comic caricature is the one with the greatest growth in popularity in history. And as it happened – this poor and gifted, honest and dedicated creator earned a wealth.
As he was not used to wealth, the money got to him more worries and troubles than he could imagine , and the confused cartoonists hired lawyers to get rid of taxpayers, and employed his children in the family business. Medical bills were paid; he provided a comfortable home and left something for the rainy days. Of course, Dick Brown spent his wealth on good things too.
He supported ” The Cartoon art Museum”, New York, and in 1974 he contributed in many ways that this idea becomes a reality. It is the first museum in the world that is devoted exclusively to the collection, preservation and presentation of unique art form – cartoon.
Located in the famous Wordsworth castle, the Museum has two floors with gallery exhibits, halls for screenings, library research, lecture halls, where professional cartoonists are speaking, and a gift shop. All genres of cartoon art: comics, political cartoons, caricatures, from magazines, animation and illustrations, are presented in showcases. Special events, such as competition in this area, drawing, collecting funds to charity, retrospectives and other activities are held regularly. “Art Museum cartoons” gained an international reputation as the best cultural center devoted exclusively to the artistic form of cartoons.
Dick Brown went a step further in helping to collect the necessary working capital for the Museum and appointed the Museum as the exclusive agent for the sale of their original works. Collectibles can buy original Hagar the horrible from the Museum, and all the money goes to fund of these facilities.
Artists and their art are always closely related. The painter in his blue coat stained with paint almost merges with the image on the easel. Probably never have been more perfect combination of art and artists from Dick Brown and his creation of Hagar the horrible.
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