Acclaimed Australian cartoonist Michael Leunig has died at the age of 79.
The artist and poet's passing was confirmed in a social media post, stating “Michael Leunig passed away peacefully today, in the early hours of December 19, 2024.”
"The pen has run dry, its ink no longer flowing – yet Mr Curly and his ducks will remain etched in our hearts, cherished and eternal," it read.
Known for his distinctive art style and social commentary through cartoon, Leunig was born in East Melbourne in June 1945, and studying briefly at university before dropping out and beginning his cartoon career in the 1960s.
He was largely known for his regular contribution to The Age and Sydney Morning Herald before being dismissed in September 2024.
The later end of his 55 year run with the newspapers was littered with controversy, with multiple pieces from Leunig drawing criticism of misogyny and anti-vaccine sentiment.