Let’s take stock of what we know about Curious George: He’s a monkey of few (no) words. His inquisitiveness gets him into trouble. He’s friends with the man in the yellow hat who has no name. And millions of moms are incredibly thankful for the easy-on-the-eye Jack Johnson who sings the theme song in the movie. What you might not realize is that Curious George’s creators have their own incredible back story, and that’s the focus of a new exhibit opening this Sunday at The Jewish Museum.

“Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H.A. Rey” chronicles the Reys’ dramatic escape from the Nazis, their subsequent survival and the creation of the world’s most famous monkey. Illustrator H.A. and his wife, Margret, an author and illustrator, were both born to Jewish families in Germany. They lived together in Paris from 1936-1940 and fled on their bicycles with their drawings just hours before the Nazis entered the city. Turns out, those illustrations, including some of a curious monkey then named Fifi, were key to their survival. Perhaps that’s why a common theme of the Curious George stories is how George saves the day after a narrow escape. And George is often seen with his bicycle. The Reys arrived in New York after a four-month journey through Europe and Brazil.

The Jewish Museum’s upcoming exhibition features nearly 80 original drawings and watercolors; many of the works are on display for the first time. The exhibition also includes an interactive, touch-screen timeline, preparatory dummy books, a reading room and H.A.’s journals detailing their journey to freedom.

It would seem that the non-speaking Curious George has a lot to say.

“Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H.A. Rey” begins Sun. 3/14 at The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd St., 212-423-3200. Check thejewishmsueum.org for museum hours.

Artwork credit:

H.A. Rey, final illustration for “This is George. He lived in Africa,” published in The Original Curious George (1998), France 1939-40. H.A. & Margaret Rey Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Curious George, and characters, created by Margret and H.A. Rey, are copyrighted and trademarked by Houghton Mifflin Harcrout Publishing Company. Copyright 2009 by HMH.

H.A. Rey, unpublished drawing, United States, C. 19502-1960s. H.A. & Margaret Rey Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi.

POSTED IN: Museums