Kay Nielsen

How Joan the Maid of Lorraine saw visions

and was called upon to deliver France

11.7" x 16.5" Poster

(Reproduced on Acid-free printing stock with Archive-quality inks)

Perfect for many purposes, the image on this Poster is a stunning and evocative illustration by Kay Nielsen (1886-1957) - one of the leading artists associated with the Golden Age of Illustration. When first published in the Christmas Edition of The Illustrated London News (1914), this image was associated with the text shown below.

In those days the Lord stirred up the spirit of a certain marvelous Maiden, 

born on the borders of France, in the duchy of Lorraine, and the see of Toul, 

towards the Imperial territories. This Maiden her father and mother employed 

in tending sheep; daily, too, did she handle the distaff; man's love she knew 

not: no sin, as it is said, was found in her; to her innocence the neighbors bore 

witness.

Detail from the Poster (for reference purposes) is shown below.

Nielsen's first published commission included a suite of monotone and full color illustrations for In Powder and Crinoline (1913) - a collection of modern fairy tales compiled by Arthur Quiller-Couch. A year later, his illustrations for the Norse fairy tales collected by Asbjörnsen and Moe - East of the Sun and West of the Moon (1914) - considered by many to be among his masterpieces -  were published. Following World War I, Nielsen produced other great works, including illustrations for Fairy Tales by Hans Andersen (1923), and other collections of fairy tales published in Hansel and Gretel and other stories by the Brothers Grimm (1925) and Red Magic (1930). Following his emigration to the United States, Nielsen found work with Disney developing concept artwork for a number of fairy tale projects. The most recognized work with Disney from Nielsen may be the "Bald Mountain/Ave Maria" sequence in "Fantasia". Nielsen did, however, also contribute artwork for projects following "Fantasia", including what has been identified as its potential sequel, "The Ride of the Valkyries" (this did not go beyond the concept stage), "Sleeping Beauty" and "The Little Mermaid". After Nielsen separated from Disney in the early 1940s, his substantial artistic work seems to have been restricted to a number of commissions for major murals throughout California.

This Poster is produced on acid-free stock with archive-quality inks.

The image shown below demonstrates how this can appear when framed (frames and framing are not included in the sale).

Sold as is with no returns, these posters are as described and will be shipped to Australia and select international destinations for free using the fully insured and tracked services of Australia Post (international buyers are responsible for any Customs duties or taxes levied in their own countries).