Vintage - Lady with Six Swans, Postcard

A vintage fairy tale illustration by Elenore Abbott from the story "Six Swans" in the 1920 edition of "Grimm's Fairy Tales." The illustration features a beautiful lady in a Grecian-style gown and hairstyle who is tied to a tree with rope. She stands in a wooded area, and six white swans fly toward her and surround her. Her hand is cupped as if she might have some food for them. The artist, Elenore Abbot (1875-1935) was born in Lincoln, Maine and was an American illustrator, scenic designer for the theatre, and painter of landscapes and portraits. She created illustrations for books and magazines including children’s books. One of Elenore’s biggest influences was artist Howard Pyle whom she studied under in Philadelphia. She and her lawyer and artist husband, C. Yarnall Abbott, lived in Rose Valley, Pennsylvania where he designed a house for them complete with artist’s studio. They had one daughter of their own, and adopted the two daughters of a favourite aunt of Elenore’s when the aunt passed away.