Leo Lionni papers

Innovative American graphic designer, art director, painter and renowned author and illustrator of children's books, Leo Lionni was born in Amsterdam, May 5, 1910. His education included the University of Zurich (1928-1930) and the study of economics at the University of Genoa (1931-1935, Ph.D., 1935). He married Nora Maffi in 1931; together they had two sons: Louis and Paul. He emigrated to the United States in 1939 and became a naturalized citizen in 1945.

Lionni studied painting under the Italian Futurist painter Filippo Marinetti. He worked as art director at Motta, an Italian food supplier, from 1933-1935. There he produced advertisements for Domus and Casabella magazines among others. After emigrating to the United States, Lionni continued his work in art direction and graphic design in various capacities.

Retiring from Fortune in 1961, Lionni continued his career as an author and illustrator of children's books. His philosophy of the visual arts is best conveyed in his own words:

"When, as a child, I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was simply, 'an artist.' During the seventy years that followed, I have remained loyal to that early promise ... I am interested in the full range of artistic experience, of which design is an integral -- not a separate -- part. I believe that through first hand-experience in all the arts, the problems of vision, both real and imaginary, can be seen in a sharper focus and solved with greater freedom"-- Leo Lionni