A Fully Cut Fairy Tale

Art Historical Context

Hans Christian Andersen, the beloved Danish author of fairy tales such as “The Little Mermaid” and “The Ugly Duckling,” was also an accomplished creator of paper cutouts. Dating to around 1864, “A Fully Cut Fairy Tale” exemplifies his playful use of scissors and folded paper to conjure intricate scenes. The medium itself—cut paper—allowed Andersen to produce delicate, symmetrical designs that often accompanied his storytelling, blending literary imagination with folk-art traditions popular in nineteenth-century Europe. This work belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of Drawings and Prints and reflects the artist’s lifelong fascination with transforming simple materials into narrative worlds. Measuring just over thirteen inches square, the cutout features an array of faces—men and women intertwined in whimsical patterns—inviting viewers to discover stories within its lacy silhouettes. Such pieces highlight Andersen’s dual talents as both writer and visual artist, demonstrating how paper cutting served as an intimate extension of his fairy-tale creativity. Today, the artwork offers museum visitors a rare glimpse into the private artistic practice of one of literature’s most celebrated figures, reminding us that fairy tales can be told not only in words but also through the delicate dance of cut paper.