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The first ever retrospective of one of the most important and popular author-illustrators of all time.

Raymond Briggs: A Retrospective, on tour from House of Illustration, was the first ever exhibition dedicated to the author-illustrator behind some of the most popular and influential children’s books and graphic novels ever published. We were delighted to be the inaugural venue of the tour.

This long-awaited retrospective showcased never-before-seen material from Briggs’ personal archive, revealing the origins of titles that have become household favourites, literary classics and international phenomena.

The exhibition included over 100 original artworks from iconic books, celebrating Briggs as an exceptional draughtsman, typographer and storyteller. Favourites could be found including, Ug: Boy Genius of the Stone Age (2001), Ethel & Ernest: A True Story (1998), Fungus the Bogeyman (1977) and The Snowman (1978).

Raymond Briggs: A Retrospective was a touring exhibition from House of Illustration.

Banner image: Top of the Plant page layout, Jim and the Beanstalk © Raymond Briggs, 1970

Additional images:  Buckingham Palace page spread, Father Christmas © Raymond Briggs, 1973

VE Day, Ethel and Ernest © Raymond Briggs, 1998

The Elephant and the Bad Baby illustration © text Elfrida Vipont Foulds, illustrations Raymond Briggs, 1969

Ug - Boy Genius of the Stone Age cover © Raymond Briggs, 2001

The Gallery exhibition images by Hampshire Cultural Trust

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