Collection: Concepts

If one looks back and reflects upon some of the key figures throughout Disney history who have had a lasting influence on Disney's creative legacy, Eyvind Earle would unequivocally sit among the names atop that prestigious list.

Earle is known for his distinctive visual styling as a background painter, color stylist, and concept artist for The Walt Disney Studios during the 1950s. His unique aesthetic came to be synonymous with the visual style of some of Disney’s most powerful animated pieces.  His work as a background artist helped to shape the stylistic language of films like Alice in Wonderland (1951), Peter Pan (1953), and Lady and the Tramp (1955).  

Although he contributed to over a dozen Disney productions during his tenure with the studio, he may be most known for his extraordinary influence on Sleeping Beauty (1959) for which he served as a Concept Artist and Color Stylist.  

Walt Disney decided that Earle’s distinctive illustration style would hold a powerful role in the finished look of the film. Walt said, “For years and years I have been hiring artists like Mary Blair to design the styling of a feature, and by the time the picture is finished, there is hardly a trace of the original styling left. This time Eyvind Earle is styling Sleeping Beauty, and that’s the way it’s going to be!” 

We are proud to introduce these exquisite selections of Eyvind Earle’s work created for Sleeping Beauty.  Working closely with Disney’s Animation Research Library, these canvas limited editions have been faithfully crafted from the original works held in The Walt Disney Company’s archival collection.