Kay Nielsen – illustratör

Originally published in 1924, this collection The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen is illustrated with the magnificent Art Nouveau colour illustrations of Kay Nielsen. It was a project that took Nielsen twelve years to complete, and his illustrations perfectly capture the other-worldly spirit of Andersen''s subject matter. It includes such well-known and loved tales as ''The Snow Queen'', ''The Real Princess'', ''The Hardy Tin Soldier'' and ''The Nightingale.''Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish poet and author celebrated for his children''s stories but perhaps best known for his fables and fairy tales – meant for both adults and children. They were frequently written in a colloquial style, using idioms and spoken language in a manner previously unseen in Danish literature. Though simple at first glance, the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen often convey sophisticated moral teachings; in equal measure heart-breaking and heart-warming.Kay Nielsen (1886-1957) was a Danish illustrator of the golden age of illustration. He was influenced by Japanese art and the Swedish folklore – becoming a crucial participant in the Art Nouveaux movement. His art is characterised by long, swooping lines, open spaces and a certain macabre, yet ephemeral quality. Presented alongside the text, his illustrations further refine and elucidate Andersen''s masterful storytelling.

The Brothers Grimm are perhaps the best known folklorists of all time. This collection of the Brothers Grimm Stories brings together some of their best known and loved tales, such as: ‘Hansel and Gretel’, ‘The Valiant Little Tailor’, ‘Rapunzel’, ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ and ‘The Golden Goose’. The Brothers Grimm (or Die Brüder Grimm), Jacob (1785–1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786–1859), were German academics, linguists, cultural researchers, lexicographers and authors – who together specialized in collecting and publishing folklore during the nineteenth century. The popularity of their collected tales has endured well; they have been translated into more than 100 languages, and remain in print in the present day.Hansel and Gretel and other Brothers Grimm Stories is accompanied by the dazzling colour and black and white illustrations of Kay Nielsen (1886 – 1957). Nielsen was a Danish artist belonging to the golden age of illustration. He was influenced by Japanese art and the Swedish folklore – becoming a crucial participant in the Art Nouveaux movement. His art is characterised by long, swooping lines, open spaces and a certain macabre, yet ephemeral quality. Presented alongside the text, his illustrations further refine and elucidate the Brothers Grimm’s masterful storytelling.

A collection of Hans Christian Andersen''s best loved fairy tales is here illustrated with the magnificent Art Nouveau colour illustrations of Kay Nielsen. This was a project that took Nielsen 12 years to complete, and his illustrations perfectly capture the other-worldly spirit of the subject matter. Many of the earliest children''s books, particularly those dating back to the 1850s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Pook Press are working to republish these classic works in affordable, high quality, colour editions, using the original text and artwork so these works can delight another generation of children. About the Author: Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish poet and author celebrated for his children''s stories but perhaps best known for his immortal Fairy Tales meant for both adults and children and frequently written in a colloquial style to veil their sophisticated moral teachings. He broke new ground in terms of style and content by using idioms and constructions of spoken language in a way that had previously not been seen in Danish literature. His poetry and stories have been translated into over 150 languages, inspiring a wealth of films, plays and ballets. About the Illustrator: Kay Nielsen (1886-1957) was a Danish illustrator of the golden age of illustration. He was influenced by Japanese art and the Swedish fairy tale illustrator John Bauer and contributed to the Art Nouveau movement. His illustrations are bold, and vibrant - often reproduced by a 4-colour process which set him apart from his contemporaries who typically used a 3-colour process. His art is characterised by long, swooping lines, open spaces and a certain macabre quality and his ephemeral illustrations are intricately inventive, flirting with implausibility. The shift in taste from fantasy to realism after WWII meant that Nielsen did not retain his pre-war popularity. However, interest in his exquisite illustrations has since been revived, and they now command a high price in today''s art world.

A Classic Collection of Fairy Tales with the Timeless Illustrations by Golden-Age Artist Kay Nielsen.Racehorse for Young Readers’ Children’s Classic Collections offers readers timeless compilations of children’s literature. Handsomely packaged and affordable, this new series aims to revitalise these enchanting works and continue the tradition of sharing them with the next generation.First published in 1910, this compilation of folklore and captivating tales has enchanted readers young and old for well over a century. The stories are accompanied by masterful illustrations by Danish artist Kay Nielsen, known for his iconic style and also for his work on the films Fantasia and The Little Mermaid. The revered and time-honoured collection was also included within Andrew Lang's Blue Fairy Book and includes some of the most famous stories of all time:Included in this edition:  "Red Riding Hood" "Hansel and Grethel" "Rumpelstiltzkin" "Rapunzel" "Tom Thumb" "The Golden Bird" And Many More!