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

Book excerpt: 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.