Kay Nielsen's WARRIOR Knight on Horse SWORD, Art PRINT

Kay Nielsen (1886-1957) is considered one of the three most important illustrators from the Golden Age of Illustration and 'gift book' design during the early 20th century.

Nielsen was born in Denmark. He studied art in France, and John Bauer was one of his great artistic influences. Much of the legendary Swedish fairy tale artist's work is evident in Nielsen's own pieces. He also appears to have been influenced by the oriental and in particular, Japanese style that had become the rage of the era.

Perhaps his greatest achievements (arguably), were In Powder and Crinoline (1913) by Arthur Quiller-Couch (published in America as Twelve Dancing Princesses), and East of the Sun and West of the Moon (1914).

The Golden Age of Illustration (1880's to 1920's), was a period of unparalleled excellence in book and magazine illustration. In Europe, Golden Age artists were strongly influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites and by such design-oriented movements as the Arts and Crafts Movement, Art Nouveau, and Les Nabis. Leading artists included Arthur Rackham, Walter Crane, Edmund Dulac, Aubrey Beardsley, and Kay Nielsen.

Source Website: Artcyclopedia.com/history