Gustaf Tenggren

Gustaf Tenggren’s fairytale inspired style would be of great use in designing the first ever full length animated feature film. Joining the Walt Disney Company in 1936, Tenggren served as the chief illustrator for their largest project yet – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – which would go on to be a commercial success. Along with lending his skills to Walt Disney Studios’ first feature, he later worked on other Disney productions including Bambi and Pinocchio. At RR Auction, you’ll find that Tenggren’s have been very popular with our buyers – exceeding our projected estimates. 

Tenggren’s concept storyboard of Pinocchio’s quaint Italian village perfectly captures the fairytale style he has refined for years. Accomplished in graphite, he takes inspiration from Italian architecture to create the smaller details found on the town’s buildings. At the time of the film’s release, Pinnochio was praised for its animation, with some saying it was superior to that of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs which had been released three years prior. Tenggren’s drawings helped influence the overall look of the film – giving the backgrounds more perspective to give the illusion of depth.

RR also had the privilege of offering a drawing from Tenggren’s very first Disney film. In this original production concept storyboard drawing he conceptualizes an anthropomorphic tree for 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. He lent his skills to not only the film’s forest but the interior of the Dwarfs’ cottage. Tenggren also contributed his painting skills to the film’s detailed posters.

With RR’s network of animation collectors always looking out for new pieces, your Tenggren artwork will find the perfect home – and the perfect price! Our team awaits your call at 800-937-3880 or get a free appraisal by clicking the consign button down below.