KAY NIELSEN (1886-1957) "She stopped as if to speak to him." Study for the story, "Twelve Dancing Princesses," published in In Powder and Crinoline retold by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1913). Later published in America as The Twelve Dancing Princesses and Other Fairy Tales. Watercolor and bodycolor on paper. 7 1/2 x 14 5/8 inches, matted and framed to 18 1/2 x 26 3/4 inches. Signed and dated 1912 in lower left image.
This illustration by the Danish illustrator Kay Nielsen exemplifies his distinctive Art Nouveau style, characterized by smooth, curving lines, elongated figures, and a flattened perspective. The artwork was made for a fairy tale about a humble villager named Michael, who dreams of marrying a princess. To fulfill his dream, Michael must uncover the secret of how the twelve princesses of Belœil escape their locked room each night to dance until dawn. Although this particular study was not included in the final publication, it shares similarities in both composition and narrative with the illustration on page 92 of the book. In that published scene, the youngest princess, Lina, sensing that Michael might have followed them, pauses to question him but ultimately continues on her way.
