Photograph: Eamonn McCabe/Guardian
The inevitable day has come-I'm deeply saddened to report the death of Ronald Searle. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday 30th December, 2011. Since the death last summer of his wife Monica, his health declined and now Mr and Mrs Mole are together again.
It was a joy and a privilege to have known the Searles-I'll write a full tribute soon . . .
The media have some touching tributes:
Leif Peng
Brad Holland
Making Great Illustration
Le Monde
The Economist
Deja View
Scotiana
Ragged Claws
Financial Times
The Lancet
MATT in the Telegraph
Quentin Blake
Padraig Rooney
Cambridge News
Spectator
Comics Journal
The Last Word
ECC
Sonia Kretschmar
Steven Heller
ZMKC
The Australian
New Yorker
ArtScene
Daily Beast
Bridget Strevens-Marzo
Brian Sibley
AOI
Creative Review
New Humanist
Eye Magazine
The Independent Obituary
Spitalfields Life
The mermaid and the schoolgirl
Radio Times
Richard Thompson
NY Times
John Coulthart
The Sun
Channel 4 News Report
Searle's biographer Russell Davies
Searle's biographer Russell Davies
Harry Mount in the Daily Mail
Gerald Scarfe
Steve Bell on The World.org
Ralph Steadman & Posy Simmonds on Front Row
The Telegraph
Harry Mount in The Telegraph
Telegraph obituary
Guardian Books
Guardian obituary
The Mirror
Daily Mail
Berliner Morgenpost
BBC obituary
Martin Rowson
Cartoon Brew
Michael Greenwood's best meal ever!
Michael Greenwood in the Mirror
The Independent
The Express
Justin Creedy Smith, akg-images / Newscom
©Louis Monier:Rue des ArchivesMarch99
©Louis Monier
©Louis Monier
From a comment in the Guardian:
4 January 2012 10:01AM
"Let me add a personal story to all these tributes. In 1956 my wife and I attended the Ideal Home Exhibition, and Ronald Searle was there sitting and drawing cartoons of whatever was going on. I naively asked him how he gained his inspirations, he turned to me and said, 'just look around you'. I've never forgotten that remark, or the valuable advice it proved to be in my own life.
We all owe him a debt of gratitude for the pleasure he gave to so many people, pleasure that will outlast his life here as we continue to enjoy his many creations."
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ReplyDeleteI have just read of his passing on the BBC News website. Terribly sad, but your blog is a wonderful tribute to him, long may it continue in his memory.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace Ronald.
ReplyDeleteRIP Ronald. A great influence and inspiration to many people.
ReplyDeleteR.I.P Mr. Searle. A sad day indeed.
ReplyDeleteI'll be pulling out the cork today.
And thanks Matt for this wonderful blog to visit.
D
Another sad passing of those few remaining that witnessed the horrors of Japanese enslavement in 1942-45. Ronald Searle was a fellow POW to Fergus Anckorn,whose biography I wrote under the title 'Conjuror on the Kwai', published by Pen&Sword on 11.11.2011. Ronald Searle left his unique mark by way of a sketch in Fergus's Autograph book when Fergus was sent to the Burma railway from Changi. How wonderful they both survived. How awful to think of the talent that didn't.
ReplyDeleteAnother sad passing of those few remaining that witnessed the horrors of Japanese enslavement in 1942-45. Ronald Searle was a fellow POW to Fergus Anckorn,whose biography I wrote under the title 'Conjuror on the Kwai', published by Pen&Sword on 11.11.2011. Ronald Searle left his unique mark by way of a sketch in Fergus's Autograph book when Fergus was sent to the Burma railway from Changi. How wonderful they both survived. How awful to think of the talent that didn't.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Matt.
ReplyDeleteI was so sad to hear of Ronald's death. The tributes I've read so far online have been really faithful, but I'm looking forward to reading yours. Keep up the good work on this blog.
ReplyDeleteRIP Ronald Searle.
So sad, we have lost an amazing artist..
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to hear of his passing -'though to be honest, it was only when I first discovered this splendid blog, that I became aware that the great man was still very much with us. Over the years I had gazed in admiration at his originals and prints in various exhibitions, always craving an example but never being able to afford one. Then last year I stumbled across an old letter to a lady, sent in 1947, which included beneath the message a drawing of a St Trinians girl drawing Mr Searle himself! I was obviously delighted but quite understood his stated opinion that he was fed up of being perpetually linked with them. I only hope he ultimately appreciated that this was because of the warmth and affection in which his creations were held by the British public...
ReplyDeleteThank you Matt for this blog tribute- all the more vital now that Mr. Searle is gone.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletethank you matt for this blog which I have just discovered.Have long been a fan of Ronald Searle since I obtained a copy of Down with Skool when I was about 12 which ws a long time ago. A man of great talent.Sad to hear of his passing.Geoff Thompson Adelaide South Australia
ReplyDeleteSeeing his stuff as a kid (along with Mad mag) inspired me to do this stuff we do...how bout a tribute of some sort..caricatures of the man?
ReplyDeleteAdiós Ronald Searle, maestro!
ReplyDeleteAdiós Ronald Searle, maestro!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. Searle for everything. And thank you Matt for bringing Mr. Searle to CTN 2009 and for helping to share and keep his legacy alive forever. His line lives on......
ReplyDelete....and I raise a glass of champagne in your direction. Thank you
ReplyDelete~Tina Price
Tis a very sad day, indeed. He was the greatest cartoonist of our time and one of the best draftsmen of the last century. I am saddened I never got to meet the man, but I appreciate your reportage from the front lines as it were, Matt. And I am grateful to Tina Price for including me in presenting a gift to Mr. Searle on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Thank you, Mr. Searle, for the brilliance of your graphic masterpieces. Your wit and skill are peerless and we are fortunate you were so prodigious in your output. A brutal prison camp couldn't stop you, nor now will even death end the ongoing discovery of your genius by new admirers.
ReplyDeleteHe will continue to inspire generations of illustrators and live on through his work and your wonderful blog.
ReplyDeleteRIP Ronald Searle and thanks for some fantastic artwork and humour over many years. You've earned your rest. My condolences to you, Matt and to Ronald's family and friends.
ReplyDeleteRonald Searle will be sorely missed by many; a very sad day. Please do continue the blog, as it has been so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteVery sad news. x
ReplyDeleteSad to hear, one of my true inspirations has passed away... This blog will allow his legacy to continue. R.I.P Ronald Searle
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the inspiration Ronald Searle very few artists can match your line and none have the same edge to their work. You are still one of my true inspirations. R.I.P Ronald Searle
ReplyDeleteRonald was a great inspiration for many of us. He will be truly missed
ReplyDeleteRIP Master Ronald!
ReplyDeleteYou were and are a
BIG inspiration to me.
From your
prison camp
masterpieces
and beyond.
What can i say
but 'draw on'
the eternal line!
:-(
a fan-forever
A giant. The greatest and most influential cartoonist of the 20th century- bar none.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this site. It is a fitting tribute to this man and his wonderful work.
I am saddened but grateful he stayed with us-still leading the way- as long as he did.
This is how it's done- the art of cartooning.
RIP Mr. Searle.
Very affected by this disappearing. C 'est one of those who m 'ont given desire to draw. Modestly I held shines pay tribute on my blog
ReplyDeletehttp://jmigruet.blogspot.com
http://joecorrao.blogspot.com/2012/01/ronald-searle-1920-2011.html
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tribute blog to Searle, one of my favorite blogs.
ReplyDeleteAnd many thanks to Ronald Searle.
I have always been inspired by the amazing work of him and this helped me to improve my drawing.
Thank you Searle!
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ReplyDeleteI fully expect to find Heaven redesigned in the style of Ronald Searle - and that's OK by me
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for posting the links to the various obits, Matt. I was away that week so it was great to read and listen to them, particularly the ones from fellow artists.
ReplyDeleteSad news but the man and his work will live on in your excellent blog - it has become the definitive depository for all things Searle.
A great master draftsman. RS has inspired many artists - myself included.
ReplyDeleteA great master draftsman. RS has inspired many artists - myself included.
ReplyDelete