Comments on: Illustration: Tenggren’s Sing For Christmas

By: Rubén Garrido

Rubén Garrido — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 16:42:29 +0000

Esta web es un auténtico regalo para mis ojos.

Muchas gracias por poder permitidme acceder a materiales tan interesantes.

Un saludo desde Granada, España.

By: Robert from the Snow White Sanctum

Robert from the Snow White Sanctum — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:46:09 +0000

I knew that Tenggren’s style had changed over the years, but this is almost shocking to see how different it is from his earlier work. Now my curiosity is aroused as to the reason for the dramatic shift.

It sounds as if he may have left Disney as an unhappy employee. We know about some of the internal politics that Grim Natwick experienced. Maybe Gustaf felt it in a similar way.

Keep up the great work Stephen and have an enjoyable holiday break.

By: Stephen Worth

Stephen Worth — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:02:52 +0000

It’s said that the immediate cause of Tenggren’s departure was due to rumors that circulated after Tenggren went on a camping trip with the young niece of a top animator. But he never fit into the Disney Studio well. His two points of irritation were the schedule that required him to paint faster than he would have liked, and the anonymity. He was a star in his field and he chafed at having Walt Disney’s signature on his own work. Walt may have also gotten off on the wrong foot with him early on by asking him to paint in the style of Rackham. You don’t hire Picasso and tell him to paint Monet’s water lillies.

I go into more detail about Tenggren’s post Disney work in two articles called Genesis of the Golden Book Style. Do a search in the sidebar and you’ll find them.