Skip to main content
Go to accessibility options

Description

Kay Nielsen - Sleeping Beauty (Walt Disney, 1952-53), Castle Early Concept Drawing. Stunning example of some of the earliest artwork done for this film. John Hench is credited with coming up with this film's initial styling. He observed the famed unicorn tapestries at the Cloisters located at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. He brought back reproductions and showed to Walt Disney, who approved using that style. Kay Nielsen, the Danish illustrator who worked at Disney from 1937 to 1941, was the first person to produce styling sketches for Sleeping Beauty. His sketches were the basis for "Night on Bald Mountain" in Fantasia. This is an extremely rare Kay Nielsen original concept art featuring a lonely castle high atop a craggy peak, only accessible by crossing a small bridge after a steep climb. Graphite and Conté crayon on storyboard paper panel with an image area of 7.75" x 5.75"; glass-front framed to 15" x 13". Exhibits light handling. Unexamined out of frame. Exhibited at LACMA, MIA, and AGO as part of the Guillermo del Toro: At Home with Monsters exhibit (2016-2018). Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions. From the personal collection of Guillermo del Toro.

Heritage Auctions provides as much information as possible but strongly encourages in-person inspection. Condition statements are offered as general guidance only, not as complete representations of fact, and do not constitute a warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted but may be visible in the photos, which are considered part of the condition report. Lots estimated at $1,000 or less are not de-framed for inspection, and we may be unable to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and is not liable for damage to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or artwork that has shifted in the frame. All lots are sold "AS IS" under our Terms & Conditions of Auction.

Auction Info

Proxy Bidding Ends 
September
26th Friday 10:50 am CT
Auction Dates
September
26th Friday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining 
10 Days 18h 21m 3s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: 56
Page Views: 447

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid (minimum $49) per lot.

This lot is in: 1 - Signature® Floor Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 89001-89132) - 11:00 AM Central Time, Friday, September 26, 2025.
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]

Show All Session Information

Show Auction Type Info

Exhibition Viewing Times, Title Page, Floor Session and License Information

Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261

Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Sales Tax information

Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More

Terms and Conditions  |  Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments |  Glossary of Terms
Current Bid:
$3,000
Track Item