He Too Saw The Image In The Water 1914

Kay Nielsen made this illustration with ink and watercolor, and it's all about detail. I can imagine him bent over the page, teasing out the textures with tiny brushstrokes. Look at that field of tiny flowers—each one is like a little universe. I bet Nielsen was thinking about fairytales and sagas. I can imagine him losing himself in the story, trying to capture the feeling of ancient forests. The palette is muted—pale greens and pinks—evoking a sense of nostalgia. The figures have this ethereal quality, almost like they're not quite of this world. What strikes me is the horse with its braided mane and armor. What's he thinking? Maybe he’s thinking of other illustrators like Aubrey Beardsley. He's creating a world and inviting us to dream. Isn’t that what art does best?