Frozen in time

Influenced from a young age by the work of oriental artists, French-born Edmund Dulac was one of the most recognisable illustrators of the early 20th century. His interpretations of the works of Shakespeare, the Brontës and The Arabian Nights put him in great demand with London’s thriving book publishers. This evocative image from The Snow Queen, first published in Stories from Hans Andersen (1938), captures the warmth of Gerda’s love and her gratitude to the reindeer who helps her find Karl, the childhood friend whose blood was turned to ice by the Snow Queen. Revisit this charming tale on a frosty day, but make sure you have the fire lit, a warm drink to hand and don’t let the Snow Queen put you under her spell.