Everyone has their own idea of America that draws on books, music, films, dreams, and fantasies. During his travels, French cartoonist Sempé discovered a world that fascinated, impressed, and astonished him. Though enchanted with jazz, he was sometimes disconcerted by the tremendous freedom that seemed to reign in the country. Nothing about the new ways of life he saw in the streets escaped his attention. Beyond the realism of certain sketches and drawings, the vigilant documentarian always retains his admiration and lucidity, offering us his vision of America through a poetic journey where humor guides the reader with extreme delicacy.
Sempé in America
Biography
ISBN
ebook
Jean-Jacques Sempé, usually known as JJ (August 17, 1932 – August 11, 2022), was a French cartoonist. He is known for his poster-like illustrations, usually drawn from a distant or high perspective and depicting detailed country landscapes or cities. For decades, he created covers for The New Yorker.
When Sempé passed away at the age of eighty-nine, French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted, “[He] had the grace to always remain light-hearted without ever missing a beat.” The tribute was one of many from both sides of the Atlantic; he was the rare Gallic artist who was beloved by Americans but managed to never lose his appeal in the eyes of his compatriots.
The writer Charles McGrath once compared him to Brigitte Bardot, saying, “He’s a national institution who has acquired an almost universal appeal by remaining quintessentially French.”
The New Yorker
