Friday, 19 August 2022

R.I.P. Jean-Jacques Sempé (1932-2022)

From Le Var comes sad, sad news;

France, united in its views

Mourns its much-loved sketching son:

“Petit Nicolas” – alas, struck dumb…

 

Unhappy childhood in Bordeaux

Sempé at twelve, keen to show

His talent on the drawing board:

His poignant cartoons were adored!

 

He moved to Paris, as you do,

With René Goscinny* stayed true;

They worked in tandem, friendship sworn

And Petit Nicolas was born!

 

Through Paris streets he’d ride his bike

Observing at first hand each sight:

How local people were surprised

At their nitty-gritty lives!

 

Moods and emotions all rang true

His list of publications grew

Le Figaro and France-Dimanche

Punch and Esquire - all grabbed their chance.

 

On the New Yorker - their front cover!

He was an artist like no other;

His special take, of which I speak

Made him an icon – and unique!


(c) Poet in the woods 2022 


* who wrote the texts  (as well as for the Asterix series with Albert Uderzo).

Death announced on 11th August, 2022



"Petit Nicolas"

 

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