Hans Christian Andersen

Paper cut-out, Hans Christian Andersen, Collection of the Odens City Museum

Whoever could present the most incredible thing would have the king's daughter and half the kingdom. Those who were young, yes even the old, strained all their thoughts, sinews and muscles. Two of them ate themselves to death and one died of drink while trying to do the most incredible thing, each according to their inclination. But that was not the way it was to be done. -Hans Christian Andersen, The Most Incredible Thing, 1875

Like the stories he collected and invented, Hans Christian Andersen's paper cut-outs are strangely dark and evocative. Penguin editions has recently released a new compilation of Anderson's fairytales. Illustrated by Andersen's own paper cut-outs and with a new translation by Tiina Nunnally this new edition presents classic Anderson and lesser known tales replete with startling humour, cruelty, tragedy and comedy.