Gustaf Tenggren

Robyn writes in to lament the lack of Internet info on Gustaf Tenggren, who contributed design work to Disney’s early films like Pinocchio and Snow White, and illustrated a number of Little Golden books. But Robyn still managed to find a few pieces online to admire.

  • Gustaf Tenggren's work for Disney's Pinnochio has been so influential to me. Like many artists, I was exposed to his work through the movie and, later, through one of the "Art of Disney" coffee table books. The draftsmanship and fullness of form, and use of light influences all of my work in some deep way. Thanks for this thread.
  • I am a huge fan of his work for Little Golden Books, but did not know he did things for Disney as well! Thanks!
  • Pethra Stahre
    Hello!

    Does anyone know how to sell an original watercolour by Gustaf Tenggren from year 1918? I live in Sweden.
  • Our gallery will be hosting an exhibition and sale of Tenggren's original art, opening September 29, 2005. The show will focus on his pre-Golden Book, pre-Disney work, which we feel is his most magical. We will have a rather nice illustrated catalogue with an essay by Tenggren's biographer, Lars Emanuelsson. The gallery is Illustration House, at 110 West 25 Street, New York, NY 10001. Tenggren's paintings and drawings are scarce because his widow made a bequest of all the work she had to the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota.
  • Robin Bienemann
    I recently found a book illustrated by Mr. Tenggren at an antique store entitled “Runaway Home : the Alice & Jerry Books” from 1942. I don’t buy many old books but I love art and was really moved by his exquisite illustrations of 2 teenagers traveling throughout the U.S. with their parents. They encounter many weird characters and have some pretty interesting adventures. It is an odd, beautiful mix of watercolor paintings and photos of notable places in the U.S. He really had a beautiful sense of the characters and the landscape.

    “Runaway Home” is a very personal collection of paintings by Mr. Tenggren and I highly recommend it if you run across it. It is quite different from the other work I have seen of his (certainly the Disney stuff) – much less stylized and self-conscious. The father in the story is an obsessive artist who cannot help setting up his easel and paints in every new region they visit – it makes me wonder if there is an element of auto-biography.
  • Allison Mula
    wow,
    its great to see so many fans of his work. Gustaph was my great uncle. Our basement is full of golden books that I grew up on. We also have many of the cells from the disney movies. I grew up with his art around my home and paintings of different family members. My great aunt Malin who my sister is named after is modeled after snow white..something I always found interesting. I am curious to know how I could bring out some of the personal works that of his that people haven't seen. Sketches of little village children and snow scences. That are lying in my basement unseen. Once again thank you to everyone who enjoyes his work, it's a source of family pride, and it is great to see others take from it as well.
  • Hello,

    I just posted a group of scans from Tenggren's Golden Book, The Little Trapper. It's at www.animationarchive.org under "MEDIA".

    Thanks
    Steve
  • RICK
    I WOULD LIKE TO BUY ORIGINAL WORK BY Gustaf Tenggren
  • Please feel free to visit HeritageArtAuctions.com, where you will find several Original Illustrations by Gustaf Tenggen for Golden Tales From The Arabian Nights, 1957 (Gouache on paperboard). This is a monthly internet auction, closing on January 29, 2006. Please feel free to contact me with questions regarding these or any other lots in the auction.

    ~Lindsay Davis
    Auction Coordinator, Monthly Internet Auctions
  • Gunnar Andreassen
    I can mention that Swedish televison made a documentary program about
    Tenggren about 10 years ago (35 minutes). I still have it on VHS and looked at it today. He illustrated some of my favourite book from my early childhood (Little Golden books) and it was fun to know more about him.
  • Evelyn
    WOW! I was so happy to find this info....I just picked up
    two little GOLDEn BOOKS because I had them as a child and
    could not resist...they were on sale at a grocery store..of all places.
    Anyway, I just LOVE the pictures and they just make me feel good
    when I look at them. What a wonderful artist...I had no clue he
    did work for Disney...
    Evelyn
  • Joakim Gunnarsson
    I have an original Tenggen wich can be seen in my gallery over at "Comic Art Fans"
    http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryDetail.asp?G...
    Would be nice to see the pieces that Allison Mula mentioned above.
  • Jeanette Tenggren Durkan
    Hello!
    I realise that it was a long time since someone last posted a comment on this issue, but thought I'd give it a shot - I am a Swedish relative of Gustav's and am very keen to get into contact with his American relatives, and also to hopefully be able to aquire an original art work by him. If anyone can help me or knows where I may be able to find work for sale; please contact me on jtenggrendurkan@yahoo.co.uk
    Regards,
    Jeanette
  • felipeb
    I am selling Gustaf Tenggren's work, wait for the best offer.

    Here I leave the link of a photo of the Work
    70X100 cm..... 27.3X39.37 Inch

    http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3452/s500164...

    They can contact me writing itself to Felipe_b@hotmail.com

    I live in Santiago of Chile.
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