Bohdan Butenko

Translation in progress

BOHDAN BUTENKO (born in 1931) is considered to be a master of book ilustration. His books are signed like old masters ones – “pinxit” – meaning “painted”. He created popular polish drawing characters of Gapiszon and Kapiszon or Gucio and Cezar. Butenko graduated from Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Soon after the graduation he was nominated for the position of artistic editor in “Nasza Ksi?garnia (“Our Library” – one of the biggest and most influential polish publishers of those times). In 1956 he published his first books: “Pan Malu?kiewicz i wieloryb” (Mr. Tiniest and a whale) by J. Tuwim and “35th May” by Erich Kastner. Together with J. M?odo?eniec, D. Mróz and J. Stanny co-created the phenomenon called „Polish School of Illustration, which was unique on a world scale for over 30 years (50s – 70s). Characters created by Butenko educate and content third generation of young readers now. Over 200 books including most iconic ones for polish literature were illustrated by him (including: J. Brzechwa, J. Tuwim, W. Chotmska or E. Niziurski). Butenko received hundreds of rewards e.g. IBA (Lipsk) 1965, Premio Europeo (Padwa) 1976, IMGE (Istambul) 2003.