If you’ve spent any time browsing Picture Box Blue, you’ll know I have a soft spot for vintage fairy tale prints. From the magical forests and trolls of John Bauer to the charming Scandinavian gnomes featured on the site, there’s something wonderfully enchanting about Nordic storybook art.
Fairy Tale Illustrations From The North
This collection features the breathtaking illustrations from East of the Sun and West of the Moon: Old Tales from the North, a beautifully illustrated edition of classic Norwegian folk tales collected by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe. First published in 1914, the book introduced readers to enchanted bears, mountain princesses, trolls, magical castles, and brave heroes through the remarkable artwork of Danish illustrator Kay Nielsen.
Kay Nielsen And Scandinavian Folklore
Fans of my collection of John Bauer art prints will find a similar sense of Nordic magic here. Both artists drew inspiration from Scandinavian folklore, but while Bauer filled his illustrations with mysterious forests and towering trolls, Nielsen created dreamlike kingdoms of snow-covered mountains, glittering palaces, and fairy tale princesses.
Kay Nielsen (1886–1957) was one of the leading artists of the Golden Age of Illustration. Born in Copenhagen and later working in London, he became famous for his richly decorative fairy tale illustrations, which blended folklore, fantasy, and elegant design. More than a century later, his artwork remains among the most recognisable and beloved examples of vintage storybook illustration.
Art Nouveau Beauty And Japanese Inspiration
Nielsen’s illustrations feel like a perfect meeting point between several themes that frequently appear on Picture Box Blue. The flowing lines, decorative costumes, and intricate details share much in common with the Art Nouveau artists featured throughout the site. At the same time, his use of space, silhouette, and stylised landscapes often echoes the Japanese woodblock prints and decorative designs that inspired many European artists of the period.
The result is a unique visual style that feels both timeless and surprisingly modern. More than a hundred years after they were first published, these fairy tale illustrations continue to captivate readers with their unique blend of folklore, fantasy, and decorative beauty.
How To Download These Fairy Tale Illustrations
Downloading the prints is easy. Simply click on the title above each image to open the full-resolution version in a new tab. From there, you can save the image to your device.
All the illustrations featured here are in the public domain.
East Of The Sun And West Of The Moon
One of Norway’s most beloved fairy tales, this story follows a poor girl who agrees to travel with a mysterious white bear in exchange for helping her family. When she breaks a magical promise, she must undertake an epic journey to find her lost prince in a kingdom far beyond the ordinary world.
Print 3. Heroine in the Forest
The Blue Belt
A brave young hero sets out to rescue a princess after receiving a magical blue belt that grants extraordinary strength. Along the way, he faces giants, dangerous challenges, and tests of courage.
Print 6. With King Arabia’s Daughter
Prince Lindworm
A king’s wish for children is granted in an unexpected way when one of his sons is born as a terrifying lindworm, a serpent-like dragon from Scandinavian folklore. It takes a clever and courageous young woman to break the curse and reveal the prince hidden beneath.
Print 7. Bride meeting Prince Lindworm
The Lassie And Her Godmother
A poor girl receives help from a mysterious godmother with magical powers. Her kindness and good nature lead to unexpected rewards, while others learn that greed rarely ends well in fairy tales.
The Three Princesses In The Blue Mountain
Three princesses are trapped inside a magical mountain and can only be freed by a daring hero. This classic Norwegian tale combines adventure, enchantment, and a series of increasingly difficult quests.
Print 13. Hero Travelling Across Snow
The Giant Who Had No Heart In His Body
A fearsome giant has hidden his heart so that he cannot be killed. To defeat him and rescue those he has imprisoned, a young prince must discover the giant’s secret and undertake a perilous quest.
Print 15. The Six Brothers Riding
Print 17. Prince Saying Goodbye
The Widow’s Son
When a widow’s son sets out to seek his fortune, he encounters trolls, magical creatures, and impossible challenges. His bravery and determination help him succeed where others have failed.
Print 19. Riding Through the Wind and Snow
Print 21. Charging Through Smoke & Arrows
The Three Princesses In The Blue Mountain
Three princesses are trapped inside a magical mountain and can only be freed by a daring hero. This classic Norwegian tale combines adventure, enchantment, and a series of increasingly difficult quests.
Print 22. Snowdrift Carrying Away the Princesses
Print 24. The Captain and Lieutenant
Other Vintage Illustrations
Kay Nielsen’s illustrations for East of the Sun and West of the Moon remain among the most beautiful fairy-tale illustrations ever published. Their unique blend of Scandinavian folklore, Art Nouveau elegance, and storybook magic has inspired artists and readers for generations.
If you enjoyed these prints, you may also like exploring the magical world of John Bauer’s fairy tale art, antique Scandinavian Christmas cards, vintage children’s Christmas book illustrations, the delightful Flower Fairies illustrations of Cicely Mary Barker, and the playful animal illustrations of Benjamin Rabier. Together, they showcase the wide variety of vintage illustration styles that continue to charm and inspire more than a century after their creation.
If you fancy, you can Buy Me A Coffee Here.