The Boy begins to build The Snowman, pausing briefly for breakfast - Raymond Briggs - Framed art Print

Raymond Briggs (1934-222) was a remarkable figure in the world of illustration. He was heavily influenced by the newspaper comic strips of his youth, such as Mary Tourtel and Alfred Bestall’s Rupert Bear, which was incredibly popular in the Daily Express and later as an annual from 1936. Briggs was fortunate to have grown up during the golden era of comics.

His formal art education began at Wimbledon School of Art, which is currently known as Wimbledon College of Art, and later at Central School of Art in London. During his national service in the Royal Corps of Signals, Briggs refined his craft by drawing diagrams for electric circuitry.

Briggs' most iconic works is the wordless graphic novel, The Snowman. It is a visually stunning narrative that chronicles the enchanting tale of a boy and his living snowman. This timeless piece encapsulates the awe and purity of childhood and has become an integral part of festive traditions for countless children. The Snowman, which Briggs both wrote and illustrated, was first published in 1978 and has now become one of the most cherished picture books globally. The narrative pacing is exquisite, enlarging the images to match the narrative. The boy and the Snowman soar over Sussex cliffs and the South Downs, Briggs' home for the last six decades, and Brighton, where he taught at the School of Art between 1961 and 1986.