London’s first-ever exhibition of illustrations by Moomins author Tove Jansson opens in November

Who doesn’t love a Moomin? The adorable hippo-like characters (who knew they were actually trolls!) were created by Finnish author Tove Jansson in the 1940s and are still a regular feature in children’s lives today. Later this year, what’s billing itself as the UK’s first exhibition dedicated to the Moomin creator’s illustrations is coming to London. 

Jansson’s life and work, including her beloved Moomins, will go under the spotlight at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration. Running from November 2026 to May 2027, Tove Jansson and her Families will display previously unseen drawings and more than 100 rarely-seen sketches, paintings, illustrations and photographs made by Jansson and those closest to her.

Although they were created by a Finnish author and published first in Sweden, the Moomins have a special connection to London. In September 1954, Jansson’s Moomin series debuted in London’s Evening News, running in the paper for 21 years. This was during a time when it was rare for women cartoonists to have their own daily newspaper strip.

Highlights of the exhibition include Tove’s childhood drawings, on public display for the first time in the UK, and original illustrations for a Swedish edition of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland (1966), rarely seen in Britain. There will also be original art from the first published Moomin book. 

A major retrospective of Jansson’s work was staged at Dulwich Picture Gallery in 2017, but this will be the first UK exhibition to focus entirely on her illustrations.

Co-curator of the exhibition Paul Gravett said: ‘Tove’s extended Moomin cast are intimately inspired by her family, friends and lovers in Helsinki’s cultural circles and lesbian community. Brilliant across so many literary and artistic expressions, her lifelong celebration of inclusivity and individuality has never been more inspiring and necessary.’

Tove Jansson and her Families is at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration from November 21 2026 to May 9 2027. 

Don’t miss the free René Magritte exhibition, opening in London next week. 

Plus: the UK’s biggest Monet exhibition in a decade will open at Tate Modern next year. 

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