Jiří Šalamoun, Maxipes Fík illustrator, dies at 86

Jiří Šalamoun, one of the most notable Czech illustrators of the late 20th century and the creator of the popular animated character of Maxipes Fík, died on Thursday at the age of 86.

Mr Šalamoun was born in Prague in 1935 and graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague and the University of Graphic Design and Illustration in Leipzig.

His work included almost 100 illustrated books, theatre and exhibition posters, and a number of animated films. He was also a long-time head of the Studio of Illustration and Graphics at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague.