"Merman Riding Dolphin, " Rare, Large Art Deco Sculpture with Male Nude

Kai Nielsen was Denmark's leading figurative sculptor in the first decades of the 20th century. Nielsen was fascinated with nude human figures relating to sea animals such as dolphins and returned to this subject again and again throughout his career. Nielsen was born in Copenhagen into an artistic family. Both of his parents were actors, Nielsen's father, Martinus Nielsen, was the director of Dagmar Theater and his mother, Oda Nielsen, was one of the most celebrated actresses of her time, both at the Royal Danish Theater and at the Dagmar Teatret. Nielsen is also known for his collaborations with Disney for whom he contributed many story sketches and illustrations, not least for Fantasia.