• Skip navigation and go to content
  • Go to navigation

Norman Rockwell Museum

  • Visit
    • Hours & Admission
    • Directions
    • Exhibitions
  • Learn
    • Programs
    • School Programs
    • Curriculum Lab
  • Research
    • Norman Rockwell Collection
    • Archives and Library
    • Rockwell Center for Americal Visual Studies
    • IllustrationHistory.org
    • Frank Schoonover Collection Raisonné
  • Donate
    • Make a Gift
    • Become a Member
  • Shop
  • Calendar
  • Contact
    • Staff Directory
    • Norman Rockwell Museum e-newsletter sign-up
    • Careers
    • What's my Rockwell Worth?
      FAQ

Illustration History

  • History
  • Artists
  • Genres
  • Essays
  • Resources
  • Podcast
  • History
    • Time Periods
  • Artists
  • Genres
  • Essays
  • Resources
  • Podcast
Home > Illustrations > Cover of "The Steadfast Tin Soldier"

Cover of “The Steadfast Tin Soldier”

By Fred Marcellino | Created: 1992

Cover of “The Steadfast Tin Soldier”
Publication
  • The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Hans Christian Andersen
Publication Date
  • 1992
Medium
  • Colored pencil
Support
  • Paper
Illustration Size
  • 14 x 20 in.
Collection
  • Collection of the Estate of Fred Marcellino

©Fred Marcellino

The Steadfast Tin Soldier was one of Hans Christian Anderson’s earliest original tales, which first appeared in 1838 during the holiday season. Fred Marcellino chose this romantic tale of a one-legged toy soldier and the paper ballerina he admires from afar for his second picture book for children. First introduced to the story at a performance of a George Balanchine ballet of the same name, he considered it to be one of Anderson’s most interesting works. “Such a tender story,” Marcellino commented, “but dark and wickedly funny at the same time. Just my cup of tea.”

To create a sense of authenticity and atmosphere in the book, the artist traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark, Andersen’s home from age 14. There, he sketched and photographed local architecture and street scenes, and visited antique shops in search of period costumes and props.

Genres
  • Books
  • Cover Art
  • Courtroom Drawings
Global Perspectives
  • North America
Related Time Periods
  • The Decade 1990-2000 The Decade 1990-2000

Support the Project

We need your help to keep this project alive and growing. How can you help?

Submit Work
Make A Donation
About The Project

Stay Informed

Join our mailing list to receive updates about this growing project.

Art Works. National Endowment for the Arts. arts.gov

This project is supported in part by an award
from the National Endowment for the Arts.

"The great band of illustrators have shown us to ourselves and I am proud to be among their company."
- Norman Rockwell

©Copyright 2020 Norman Rockwell Museum
9 Route 183, Stockbridge, MA 01262 | 413.298.4100
Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions