Beschreibung:

ATTRIBUTED TO KAY NIELSEN] Original drawing of an imposing and regally dressed figure, set against a patterned design reminiscent of Persian miniatures. 13.8 x 8 inches (35 x 20.3 cm); rendered in ink and watercolor over pencil outline, on a watercolor paper. The background and border are heightened with shell gold. Trace of glue from a mount along the top edge of the verso of the drawing, partially obscuring a pencil legend that includes an apparent date ("11/17"). This drawing, which is beautifully rendered and has exceptionally strong visual appeal, is something of an enigma. While the drawing and design are typical of Kay Nielsen (down to the use of pencil in the facial features) it is not signed; customarily, fully finished drawings by the artist are signed in full. At the lower left there is what appears to be a tiny indicepherable monogram. Nielsen did not use a monogram on color work after his student years, which this piece clearly postdates. The background bears some resemblance to a series of Joan of Arc illustrations he did in 1914, but does not otherwise relate to any known set of Nielsen illustrations.