Two Pierrots Balancing on Swans and Two Dancers

Hans Christian Andersen

1820–75 · Cutout in blue paper, mounted on an album sheet · Drawings and Prints

Andersen made many of his paper cuts—which were completely independent of his written fairy tales, but with stories all their own—as gifts for the children of family and friends. Certain imagery and forms repeat across these works, such as the ballerinas dancing on butterfly wings and the lively pierrots balanced on long-necked swans, which can also be found in different configurations in the more elaborate cut-out in the collection (2012.379). Like many of Andersen’s cut-outs, the one here was originally mounted in an album, most likely juxtaposed with verses, clippings, or other collected ephemera.

Artist

Hans Christian Andersen

Date

1820–75

Medium

Cutout in blue paper, mounted on an album sheet

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Mary Martin Fund, 2003