The Man Who Made Denmark - The Story of Ib Antoni offers for the first time the story of the extraordinarily productive Danish artist, Ib Antoni (1929-1973). Antoni became world famous because his posters created the narrative of the little wonderland of mouth-watering beer, quality cheese and iconic furniture that opened up to mass tourism and still attracts visitors from all over the world. The book is written by journalist Sara Alfort together with the organization behind Antoni's artistic legacy, Antoni Legacy.
Ib Antoni came from Esbjerg and when he wasn't meeting princes, princesses, kings and queens all over the world, he drew posters with brightly colored Tivoli lamps, Charlie Rivel the clown, the marching lifeguard with his giant bearskin hat and bird's nest on top - and the officer who follows the duck family across the main street.
Antoni put Danish adventurousness, goods and culture on the world map. He was one of the most sought-after advertising designers of his time, and designed for one of New York's largest advertising agencies on Madison Avenue. His clients included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tourist Board, the Agricultural Marketing Board, Unicef, Time Magazine, Tuborg and Carlsberg - to name just a few.
In post-war Denmark, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with a group of business people, launched a targeted and comprehensive effort abroad at a time when the Danish economy desperately needed a restart.
The group helped to create precisely the story about Denmark that we take for granted today, and which Danish tourism, agricultural exports and design still stand on the back of.
The artist they chose to illustrate this tale was Ib Antoni.
In 2019, the 90th anniversary of Ib Antoni's birth, Antoni Legacy decided to tell the story of the man behind the works so that it could be ready for publication ahead of the 50th anniversary of Antoni's death.
The book shows approximately 300 works by Ib Antoni, several of which have never been seen before.
Dimensions: W: 30 x H: 24 cm
Pages: 312
Language Danish
Author: Sara Alfort
Publisher: Turbine