"One of the greatest book illustrators of his time, Edmund Dulac (1882-1953) was also one of the most prolific and impressive artists of the early twentieth century. Covering a wide range of themes and styles, his work is characterized by the strong personalities of his figures and the elaborate backgrounds and shading of his scenes. He remains, today, among the most popular of recent illustrators." (Taken from the back of the book.) This collection of 24 lovely cards features reproductions of Dulac's fine artwork for tales by Hans Christian Andersen. Reproduced from a rare 1911 edition, they include images from: The Snow Queen, The Real Princess, The Garden of Paradise, The Nightingale, The Mermaid, The Wind's Tale and The Emperor's New Clothes.
Here are two of the cards from the book:
The back of the card reads: "Edmund Dulac (1182-1953). "I have hardly closed my eyes the whole night! Heaven knows what was in the bed. I seemed to be lying upon some hard thing, and my whole body is black and blue this morning. It is terrible!" Illustration for "The Real Princess." Stories from Hans Andersen, 1911. From Dulac's Illustrations for Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales, c. 2004 by Dover Publications, Inc.
On the back of the card, this one reads: "Edmund Dulac (1882-1911). "Many a winter's night she flies through the streets and peeps in at the windows, and then the ice freezes on the panes into wonderful patterns like flowers." Illustration for "The Snow Queen", Stories from Hans Andersen, 1911. From Dulac's Illustrations for Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales, c 2004 by Dover Publications, Inc.
The other 22 cards are just as wonderful as these. They make me want to pick up my copy of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales and revisit some of these wonderful places. I hope none of you gets excited about receiving one of these lovely cards. I think they'll stay in the book for quite awhile! Have to say though, that you'd be lucky if one arrived in your post!
Please visit our Postmistress Marie to see other participants of Postcard Friendship Friday.
19 comments:
I never heard of that illustrator. The "princess and the pea" illustration brings back childhood memories of having that story read to me and seeing an illustration that at least was similar.
Same here, but I distinctly remember seeing the Princess image in childhood. The Snow Queen image, not so much.
You've just introduced me to someone I never heard of! I love the postcards you've shared so I'm off to see if I can find more about this artist.
Those cards are fabulous, Snap... I love them... The illustrations are fabulous.
thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy
Another one here who has seen the Princess and the Pea illustration before. They are beautiful cards!
Never saw the illustrations of Mr. Dulac before, but they are excellent. It's the stuff that made you dream as a child when your parent is reading you one of the fairy tales.
I love the Snow queen illustration. I found that reading HCA tales as an adult - they can be so sad and gloomy ( the little matchgirl, the streadfast tin soldier).
Snap,
I love his illustrations and remember them from an old book I had as a child. Thanks for the memory. So sumptuous! And I think I'd have to frame one of those post cards if I were lucky enough to get one! Hang onto them. Hugs>
Hi!
Beautiful Cards! I can remember reading the fairy tales from this book when I was a young girl. Thanks for sharing and bringing back those memories. Have a great day!
Sherrie
http://splummer-aviewofmylife.blogspot.com/2009/09/postcard-friendship-fridays.html
these are wonderful! And I had that exact version of the princess and the pea in a book when I was little. Happy PFF and thanks for a fun and informative post!
Snap, These illustrations are a treasure. My grand daughter loves the Princess and the Pea.
I remember these too, esp the princess and the pea!
I love Hans Christian Andersen and I think I've seen some of the images before. They are beautiful! What a find!
I am sure we had this book in the house when I was growing up - I will have to check with my sister as she has become the keeper of all such things. I am glad you bought this, it is chockfull of beauty and memories for so many.
I remember these illustrations when I was a child - the Princess and the Pea especially (David calls me that even now as I love my sheets and bed to be just so !). How wonderful to re-visit them !
Dulac was truly a gifted illustrator...his art jumps off the page. I love the Princess and the Pea!!
WOW! Great images, but I've never heard of the illustrator. Do we get to see more?
Beautiful illustrations !
Thanks for sharing it with us :)
I really love the "winter's night" image - almost makes me look forward to the coming Montreal winter!
Evelyn in Montreal
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