Born November 3, 1896, Swedish-American Gustaf Tenggren was known for his Arthur Rackham-style art as he illustrated books and worked in advertising up until the Great Depression. Hired by Disney in 1936, he was one of Disney's chief illustrators (primarily concept and atmospheric art) during the time of Snow White, Fantasia, and Pinocchio.
After Disney, Tenggren left Rackham-style art behind and he devoted more of his time to picture books for young children, like The Poky Little Puppy, the first of a number of Golden Book favorites such as Saggy Baggy Elephant, Little Black Sambo and Tawny Scrawny Lion. Towards the end of his career, he devoted more time to retellings of classics and his Arabian Nights was published in 1957, Canterbury Tales in 1961 and King Arthur in 1962. (We can't find reference for any books after that!) He died at Dogfish Head in Southport, Maine on April 9, 1970.
Illustrated works:
1923
1927
- Small Fry and the Winged Horse, Ruth Campbell
1932
1938
1942
1943
1944
- Little Match Girl, Hans Christian Andersen
- Sing For America, Opal Wheeler
- Tenggren's Story Book, Gustaf Tenggren
1946
1947
1948
- Little Black Sambo, Helen Bannerman
- Cowboys and Indians, Kathryn and Byron Jackson
1950
- The Little Trapper, Kathryn & Byron Jackson
- Pirates, Ships and Sailors, Kathryn and Byron Jackson
1951
1952
1953
1954
- The Golden Goose, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
1955
- The Giant with the Three Golden Hairs, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
- Snow White and Rose Red, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
1957
1959
1961
1962
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