Synopses & Reviews
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.
Synopsis
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.