Kay Nielsen (1886) Sketch for 'Knight Olaf and the Underworld' 1913 Rare!

Rare preliminary sketch for 'Knight Olaf and the Underworld', a 1913 illustration by Kay Nielsen. This pencil drawing on bond paper is mounted on cardboard. It is water-marked, signed by Kay Nielsen to the upper left, and includes handwritten notes on the reverse side. The sketch served as a preliminary for the 1914 book illustration inspired by the Danish ballad "Elveskud" which describes a fatal enchantment placed on Knight Olaf by an Elf-King's Daughter. Kay Nielsen completed the work in 1913 and published in the 1914 edition of "East of the Sun and West of the Moon: Old Tales From the North", a collection of Scandinavian fairy tales. This beautiful sketch is 12 x 17 cm (4 ¾ x 6 ¾ inches) and is in pristine condition. This original piece was sold at an auction for $59,216 in September 2009. You will love having this rare piece of artwork in your home!