Kay nielsen book of death the book of death series done in kay pronounced kigh nielsen is considered one of a triumvirate of classic great illustrators from the golden age of. At 15 he became an apprentice painter but was artistically inclined and began to paint landscapes and portraits. This xxl fine art portfolio revives kay nielsens illustrations for a world heritage classic, a thousand and one nights. Kay nielsen hans andersens fairy tales very important books. Kay nielsens enchanted vision museum of fine arts, boston. Illustration from kay nielsens east of the sun and west of the moon.
Illustrations by danish artist kay nielsen for his book of death series. Were exhibited by k nielsen at london 1911 as a series of black and white drawings called the book of death. Kay rasmus nielsen was a danish illustrator who was born on 12th march, 1886. Both of his parents were actors nielsens father, martinus nielsen, was the director of dagmarteater, and his mother, oda nielsen, was one of the most celebrated actresses of her time. Nielsen was attracted to tales of formation, to people striking out on their owntheres lot of that in this book, daniel told me. Were exhibited by k nielsen at london as a series of black and white. Image detail for kay nielsen fairy tale illustration 1975 the giant who had danishamerican illustrator kay nielsen from golden age comic book stories. He grew up surrounded by theater as both of his parents were actors.
In the 1910s and 20s, printing technology was exploding, daniel said. A portrait photograph of nielsen in the accompanying exhibition catalogue shows. Fine arts, boston kay nielsen, inevitable, from the book of death series. She earned an ma in london and was director of a photography gallery before editing books. He was incredibly popular in the earlytwentieth century, as a key artist in the golden age of illustration sweeping across the world. I have plenty more illustrators in the pipeline to talk about, but if you have any suggestions for any in particular you feel i should examine, do let me know. These highlights of nielsens career promised gifts to the mfa from collectors kendra and allan daniel give visitors a rare opportunity to study and appreciate the work of this visionary artist.
Were exhibited by k nielsen at london as a series of black and white drawings called the book of. A collection of the worlds best fairy tales from all countries 1930. The first was at dowdswel galleries showing his book of death, a collection of black and white drawings, which are now believed to be in private collections or possibly lost. Nielsen was born in the late 1800s in copenhagen, and so straddled the art nouveau and art deco movements.
Kay nielsens a thousand and one nights book depository. Among the highlights are ten illustrations from east of the sun and west of the moon, which are considered the bedrock of nielsens legacy, plus eight drawings from the book of death series 1910, and three original illustrations from his final book commission, red magic. He left copenhagen for a while to study intensively in paris. Jun 11, 2012 kay pronounced kigh rasmus nielsen 18861957 was born in copenhagen into an artistic family. Kay nielsen s father, martinus nielsen, some time later became the director of dagmarteater while his mother, oda nielsen, was one of the most renowned actresses of her time. Kay nielsen march 12, 1886 june 21, 1957, danish artist. Before moving to canada, nielsen taught for many years at new york university.
This centenary reproduction of east of the sun and west of the moon revives a classic collection of 15 norse folktales illustrated by the beloved danish artist kay nielsen, one of the most famous childrens book illustrators of all time. Showcasing more than 45 dramatic watercolors, drawings, and illustrated books from the kendra and allan daniel collection, kay nielsens enchanted vision celebrates the danish artist. Her taschen publications include kay nielsens a thousand and one nights and east of the sun and west of the moon, the fairy tales of the brothers grimm, the fairy tales of hans christian andersen, wintertime tales, magic, and the circus. Kai nielsen was born on 26 november 1882 in svendborg, the son of christian nielsen, a watchmaker, and his wife ane marie. Kay nielsens a thousand and one nights 2018, hardcover for.
These highlights of nielsens careerpromised gifts to the mfa from collectors kendra and allan danielgive visitors a rare opportunity to study and appreciate the work of this visionary artist. Though this is my first post on danishamerican illustrator kay nielsen 18861957, his. This book is not actually by kay nielsen but is part of a series of books on classic illustrators published by peacock pressbantam books in 1975. Kay nielsens enchanted vision is on view from july 20, 2019 through january 20. Ulla, his wife since she was 21, died the following year. Kay nielsen, concept drawing for disneys fantasia featuring. The illustrations consist of 53 paintings and drawings, eight in color. Night visions a fine art portfolio of kay nielsens sumptuous a thousand and one nights. It presents a boigraphy of the sad life of a wonderful artist and 40 color plates representing a range of his work from 19 to 1925. Kay nielsen danish, 18861957, inevitable, from the book of death series, 1910. Nielsen was born with an innate talent to create images from his mind.
In a 1978 essay, death and the meaning of life, nielsen argues that for intellectuals in the modern world belief in an afterlife is virtually impossible to hold. Printed for the first time ever in five colors including gold, the 21 prints are reproduced directly from nielsens original watercolors, allowing his sumptuous hues and rich influences to dazzle. His first book, the twelve dancing princesses was one that very fiew artists have tried to recreate. From the height of his career as a celebrated illustrator of fairy tales, he had seemingly fallen into obscurity at the close of his life. He is a prolific author and a wellknown contemporary philosopher. Longlost watercolors of 1001 nights bring new life to ageold tales. Thank you for joining me in celebrating kay nielsens work on hans andersens fairy tales, a very important book indeed. Kay nielsen harry clarke arthur rackham art nouveau art deco east of the sun william blake guache art inspo.
Kay nielsen has 38 books on goodreads with 10391 ratings. Jan 06, 2018 thank you for joining me in celebrating kay nielsens work on hans andersens fairy tales, a very important book indeed. Kay nielsen illustrator biography life, art and illustration. Kay nielsens stunning illustrations for east of the sun. Kay nielsens enchanted vision is on view from july 20.
Kay nielsen, illustration of scandinavian fairy tales on that island stands a church. Kay rasmus nielsen march 12, 1886 june 21, 1957 was a danish illustrator who was popular in the early 20th century, the golden age of illustration which lasted from when daniel vierge and. Longlost watercolors of 1001 nights bring new life to age. Kay nielsen, inevitable, from the book of death series, 1910 art. Pen and brush and ink, opaque watercolor, over graphite. Nielsen joined the ranks of arthur rackham and harry clarke in enjoying the success of the burgeoning gift book market at this time, and is also remembered for his pioneering. Kay nielsens father, martinus nielsen, some time later became the director of dagmarteater while his mother, oda nielsen, was one of the most renowned actresses of her time. These illustrations were never published in book form. Of these 53 illustrations, 15 accompany the story of aladdin. Summary of kai nielsens death and the meaning of life. Kay nielsens rarest work with his virtuoso blend of folktale drawing and art deco stylisation illustrating 22 of the bestloved tales by the brothers grimm. Kay nielsen, inevitable, from the book of death series, 1910, pen and ink over graphite. Kay was born on april 19, 1954 and passed away on wednesday, january 11, 2017 kay was a resident of dike, iowa at the time of passing kay was married to glen visitation will be held on saturday january 14 2017 from 4.
Dazzled by danish illustrator kay nielsen fine books. Kay nielsen studied art in paris before moving to england in 1911. His mother, oda nielsen, was one of the most celebrated actresses of her time, both at the royal danish theater and at the dagmarteater, where his father was director. The book of death series done in 1911 kay pronounced kigh nielsen is considered one of a triumvirate of classic great illustrators from the golden age of illustration and gift book design during the first quarter of the 20th century. The picture show a longlost work of danish illustrator kay nielsen is being published for the first time, evoking all the. In the late 1910s, in a europe ravaged by world war i, danish illustrator kay nielsen put the finishing touches on his illustrations of a thousand and one nights. The picture show a longlost work of danish illustrator kay nielsen is. Kay nielsen was born in copenhagen into an artistic family. Before her death the following year, nielsens widow, ulla, gave his drawings to the artist and architect, frederick monhoff, who tried to place them in museums.
Under beardsleys spell, nielsen produced a series of morbidly romantic blackandwhite drawings titled the book of death, portraying the tragic love of pierrot for a young dying maiden. Kay nielsenbook of death in 2020 kay nielsen, world art. Kay nielsens a thousand and one nights taschen books. Kay nielsen is a danish artist and designer, retaining a startling originality of outlook and delicacy of fancy. In contrast to some of his contemporaries, kay pronounced kigh nielsen often focused on the melancholic or dramatic elements of tales, creating memorable visual sequences reflecting themes of love, passion, loss, and death. Red magic, published in 1930, is the last book illustrated by kay nielsen. Feb 06, 2016 kay rasmus nielsen march 12, 1886 june 21, 1957 was a danish illustrator who was popular in the early 20th century, the golden age of illustration which lasted from when daniel vierge and. Were exhibited by k nielsen at london 1911 as a series of black and white drawings called the book. These prints come from a 1975 book of kay nielsens work. Night visions a fine art portfolio of kay nielsen s sumptuous a thousand and one nights.
Kay rasmus nielsen march 12, 1886 june 21, 1957 was a danish illustrator who was. Nielsen contracted a chronic cough that would plague him until his death on june 21, 1957 at the age of 71. During the the golden age of illustration, nielsen and other artists, such as arthur rackham and gustave dore, found themselves illustrating expensive, exquisite gift books of fairytale stories. Mfa boston celebrates visionary danish illustrator kay. Red magic is a collection of the worlds best fairy tales from all. Red magic is a collection of the worlds best fairy tales from all countries, edited and arranged by romer wilson. Kay pronounced kigh nielsen is considered one of a triumvirate of classic great illustrators from the golden age of.
His funeral service was held under his mural in the wong chapel. Kay nielsens enchanted vision is on view from july 20, 2019 through january 20, 2020 in the clementine brown gallery. Her taschen publications include kay nielsen s a thousand and one nights and east of the sun and west of the moon, the fairy tales of the brothers grimm, the fairy tales of hans christian andersen, wintertime tales, magic, and the circus. Though this is my first post on danishamerican illustrator kay nielsen 18861957, his influence can be seen everywhere on 50 watts try lathrop and sterrett. Aug 12, 2019 yearning, from the book of death series. Kay nielsen danishamerican, kay nielsen was an art nouveau illustrator who specialized in books for children.
Luminous and often haunting, kay nielsens interpretations of classic fairy tales are among the most celebrated book illustrations of the 20th century. The results are considered masterpieces of early 20th century illustration. Kay nielsen fairy tale paintings measurements are approximately 8 and 12 inches by 12 inches great for a frame. The work he contributed to east of the sun found him a wide, appreciative new readership. Moving from paris to beardsleys homeland, kay mounted a major london gallery exhibition of the series in 1911. Under beardsleys spell, nielsen produced a series of morbidly romantic black andwhite drawings titled the book of death, portraying the tragic love of pierrot. Martinius nielsen, was in his youth an actor in the classical repertoire. Oct 22, 2018 longlost watercolors of 1001 nights bring new life to ageold tales. Starting in 1912 nielsen had several commissions held in london. Kay nielsen artist interrupted vintage book illustrations.
Hoffmanns classic story,1816 the nutcrackerand the mouse king. In 1983 maurice sendak designed the set for the pacific northwestern balletsproduction of nutcracker based on e. I have plenty more illustrators in the pipeline to talk about, but if you have any suggestions for any in particular you feel i should examine, do. Kay nielsen, inevitable, from the book of death series, 1910. View over 320 works by kay nielsen online, access learning resources and shop for posters and greeting cards featuring nielsens art. Kay pronounced kigh nielsen is considered one of a triumvirate of classic great illustrators from the golden age of illustration and gift book design during the first quarter of the 20th century. Great to add a little something special to the room. When kay nielsen died in california in 1957, he was virtually penniless and forgotten. Kay pronounced kigh rasmus nielsen 18861957 was born in copenhagen into an artistic family. He worked as a concept artist for the walt disney company from his. A golden age gift book in facsimile for the first time. Illustrator and disney artist kay nielsens glittering fantasies and.
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