Laszlo Gal was accepted into Budapest’s prestigious Academy of Dramatic Arts (now the University of Theatre and Film Arts), and began study there in 1951.
Laszlo Gal was accepted into Budapest’s prestigious Academy of Dramatic Arts (now the University of Theatre and Film Arts), and began study there in 1951.
(Prince Ivan sets out on a quest to find the Firebird that...)
Prince Ivan sets out on a quest to find the Firebird that is stealing his father's golden apples, and encounters a grey wolf, the horse with the golden mane, and the Princess Elena, and triumphs over treachery and death.
(What I am about to tell you happened three years ago. I h...)
What I am about to tell you happened three years ago. I have never spoken of it, because no one would have believed me. Perhaps now that I am bigger, people will listen. You are the first to hear the story... So begins a remarkable take of adventure, danger and suspense, a tale so vivid it is difficult to know where reality ends and fantasy begins - or if it does at all.
(Protected from an evil king by a prince who can turn hims...)
Protected from an evil king by a prince who can turn himself into a parrot, a pretty maiden listens while her feathered companion tells her the parallel story of a captive princess and her thrilling rescue.
Laszlo Gal was a Hungarian-born Canadian artist, teacher, graphic designer, illustrator, and writer. He gained an international reputation as an illustrator of myths and fairy tales. In addition to Illustrating, he published some books for young readers, including "Beowulf", "Tiktala", "East of the Sun and West of the Moon".
Background
Laszlo Gal was born on February 18, 1933, in Budapest, Hungary. He was the son of Istvan and Anna (Gemes) Gal. He was the youngest in a family of six children.
Gal’s parents felt that providing an artistic home environment was important; they encouraged each of their children to develop their natural talents in both drawing and music. While one of his brothers would go on to become a successful opera singer, Gal demonstrated an interest in art and a talent for drawing. By the time he was nine years old, he had determined to work toward becoming an illustrator; scarcely four years later the thirteen-year-old artist was in Paris, exhibiting some of his works in an international exhibition of youth art.
Education
A few years after Laszlo Gal had established his reputation as a talented young artist, his aspirations turned to acting. He was accepted into Budapest’s prestigious Academy of Dramatic Arts (now the University of Theatre and Film Arts), and began to study there in 1951. However, when he was cut from the program the following year he returned home, convinced that his talents lay elsewhere.
After revolts against the country’s communist leadership resulted in a dramatic reduction in personal freedom under Hungary’s Soviet regime, career choices for young people suddenly became very limited. Despite his wish to become an illustrator, the communist government determined that Gal should use his artistic abilities for the good of the state - as a teacher. He enrolled at the Superior School of Pedagogy in Budapest in 1952 and, in 1955, received an Art Education Diploma enabling him to teach art to children.
In 1956, during the Hungarian Revolution, Laszlo Gal immigrated to Canada. He lived in Toronto and worked as a dishwasher, waiter, sign painter, artist of political portraits for the editorial page of the Globe and Mail, layout artist, and finally was hired as a graphic designer for the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company) in 1958. Gal worked for CBC until 1965, later returning to his position again in 1977.
While vacationing in Italy in 1963, he presented his illustrations to the famous publishing house, Arnold Mondadori. He produced 60 illustrations for the Spanish twelfth-century epic poem "El Cid" and eventually received a contract to work exclusively on Mondadori children's books. He lived in Verona for four years from 1965 to 1969, illustrating two full-color books a year for Mondadori. Returning to Canada in 1970, he began freelance illustration. In partnership with William Toye, he illustrated "Cartier Discovers the St. Lawrence", which launched his career as a Canadian illustrator.
Gal illustrated over 40 children's books, published in Spain, France, the United States, as well as, in Italy and Canada.
Gal's intricate drawings and paintings reflected the art of the period in which the story is set, allowing it to influence his choice of medium, composition and technique. Eva Martin's collection of Canadian Fairy Tales (1984) reflected the artistic style of Europe adapted to a Canadian setting. The Chinese legend The Enchanted Tapestry (1987) was done in the style of Chinese landscape painting. A Flash of Sea Water (1989) was illustrated in the style of Persian miniatures to complement the text of poet, P.K. Page. Gal illustrated his own texts of folktales, Prince Ivan and the Firebird (1991) and The Parrot: An Italian Folktale (1997).
Achievements
Laszlo Gal has been listed as a noteworthy Illustrator by Marquis Who's Who.
