The Art of Babar: The Work of Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff
Bedtime Stories Biography Art History Picture Book Illustration Children's Literature European Art Mid-Century Design
The Art of Babar: The Work of Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff is the definitive visual biography of the world’s most beloved elephant and the family of artists who created him. In 192 pages of museum-quality plates and behind-the-scenes photographs, Nicholas Fox Weber traces the evolution of Babar from Jean de Brunhoff’s first 1931 watercolors to the vibrant, color-saturated canvases painted decades later by his son Laurent. Measuring a generous 12" × 9", this lavish 1995 Abrams paperback gives collectors a front-row seat to watch Babar’s palette shift from soft, nursery pastels to the bold hues that influenced mid-century illustration. Every spread is a master class in composition, showing how the de Brunhoffs balanced whimsical animal antics with sophisticated architectural vistas that rival any fine-art picture book of the 20th century.
What makes this ex-library copy a smart buy is the sheer density of imagery you simply can’t find online: preliminary pencil sketches, alternate cover mock-ups, and Laurent’s private travel snapshots that inspired Celesteville’s fantastical spires. Despite sturdy laminated library binding and the expected stamps, the pages remain bright and the binding tight—perfect for bedtime sharing with ages 2-8, yet scholarly enough to engage teens and adults curious about European art history. At just under two pounds, it doubles as a coffee-table conversation piece and a research trove for illustrators, educators, or anyone hunting the golden age of picture-book art.
Vintage Babar merchandise skyrockets in value when it includes original art commentary, and Weber’s narrative—written with the cooperation of Laurent himself—delivers page after page of insider anecdotes. Discover how Jean hid anti-war messages in crowd scenes, why Laurent revived the series after World War II, and which real-life château became Babar’s royal palace. Whether you’re completing a children’s literature collection, sourcing classroom visuals, or gifting a nostalgic keepsake, The Art of Babar pairs enduring bedtime charm with serious cultural scholarship, all at a price point that respects both your budget and your bookshelf real estate.
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