The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen - Illustrated by Kay Nielsen

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.