Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen - Illustrated by Harry Clarke

Originally published in 1916, Fairy Tales by Hans Andersen, is illustrated with the magnificent colour and black and white illustrations of Harry Clarke. This collection contains twenty-four of Andersen’s stories, including such well-known and loved tales as ‘The Little Mermaid, ‘The Steadfast Tin Soldier’, ‘The Ugly Duckling’, ‘The Snow Queen’, ‘The Nightingale’ and ‘The Red Shoes’. 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 spoke language in a manner previously unseen in Danish literature. Though simple at first glance, Andersen’s stories often convey sophisticated moral teachings, in equal measure heart-breaking and heart-warming. The stories of Fairy Tales by Hans Andersen are accompanied by the dazzling illustrations of a master of the trade; Harry Clarke (1889 – 1931). Clarke was an Irish stained-glass artist and book illustrator – and a leading figure in the Irish Arts and Crafts Movement. His drawings were inspired by the Art Nouveax style so typical of this period – and his sinuous lines combined with delicate colouring earned him a reputation as a preeminent illustrator of the ‘Golden Age.’ Presented alongside the text, his illustrations further refine and elucidate Andersen’s captivating narratives.