Kay Nielsen

Kay Nielsen (1886 – 1957) was a key contributor during the “Golden Age of Illustration” in the early 20th century.  Most notable in Nielsen’s body of work were his illustrations for a publication called East of the Sun and West of the Moon, a compendium of fifteen fairy tales gathered by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Engebretsen Moe, two Norwegian folklorists. Nielsen provided twenty-five color plates in his characteristic 4-color process as well as monotone images to populate with witches, heroes, and princesses. The illustrations carry a “freshness and fullness” as described by Jacob Grimm, which Art & Fable has chosen a select few to bring to you in puzzle form.

The Danish illustrator is also known for his collaborations with Disney, providing the company with sketches for Fantasia and concept paintings for The Little Mermaid.