Kay Nielsen

Kay Nielsen

Kay Nielsen was a Danish illustrator who lived from 1886 to 1957. Nielsen was one of the top artists during the ‘Golden Age of Illustration’ in the early 20th century. His work was prominently featured in the Disney art film, Fantasia.

Nielsen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark to two well-known artists. His father, Martinus Nielsen, was a director and his mother, Oda Nielsen, was one of the most famous actresses of her time. In 1904, Nielsen moved to Paris, France, to study art. He went to school at the Académie Julian and Académie Colarossi before moving to England in 1911.

It was in England in 1913 that Nielsen got his first commission; to illustrate for a book titled In Powder and Crinoline, Fairy Tales Retold by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch. Many commissioned works soon followed, including the 1914 edition of East of the Sun and West of the Moon: Old Tales from the North. Nielsen was following in the steps laid out by illustration masters such as Aubrey Beardsley and Edmund Dulac. Nielsen’s works were extremely detailed, with often ornate Art Nouveau style borders.

Nielson soon moved back home to Denmark, got married, and continued on commission work for the next several decades. The onset of WWI put the publications of many of the illustrated books that fed the demand for the ‘Golden Age of Illustration’ on hold. This subsequently helped the onset of the demise of that art period. The harsh reality of a large-scale war changed consumer’s perspectives, particularly in the arts. However, Nielsen kept on working and during the 1920s, he was the most well-known Danish artist.

In 1937, Nielsen started working for the Walt Disney studios. In 1939, he moved to Los Angeles to work for Disney full time as a concept artist. Nielsen stayed there until 1941 when he was let go during WWII. Upon his return home, there was no longer any demand for his work, so he lived off of low-key commission works for cheaper prices.

Nielsen remained poor until his death in 1957 at age 71. His wife Ulla, who had been married to Nielsen for over 40 years, died the following year.

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