Kay Nielsen

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark illustrator Kay Nielsen studied art in Paris and then received his first commission from the English publishing firm of Hodder & Stoughton in 1913.  Known for his lush illustrations of popular fairy tales, such as those of Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm, Nielsen went to California in the 1930s and contributed sketches and illustrations as a staff member of the Walt Disney Company.  During the five years he was employed at Disney, he provided designs for various projects, most notably for two sequences of the popular Disney film Fantasia.  After being dismissed by Disney, Nielsen returned to Denmark briefly to revitalize his career, but found his Art Nouveau style of dynamism and movement infused with elements of Asian woodcuts and prints was no longer in favor. He lived his final years in poverty and died in Los Angeles at the age of 71.