The Illustrations of Kay Nielsen

Kay Nielsen (1886-1957) was a Danish illustrator who specialized in children's literature. He also worked for Disney in the 1940s. His work was used in the "Ave Maria" and "Night on Bald Mountain" sequences of Fantasia (one of my favorites). He also painted stage scenery for the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen. I love how elegant and rich these illustrations are. You don't see too many books for children illustrated like this anymore. It's clear that Nielsen was influenced by Aubrey Beardsley (another favorite of mine) but he takes his work to a much more vivid and textural place. So beautiful...I would love an early edition of one these books.


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