Kusai's Haendelser Axel Salto Modern Illustrated Books

4to (28,6 x 21,6 cm), publisher's illustrated cardboards. First edition, signed by the artist. 16 woodcuts, cover and endpapers by Axel Salto. An expressionist-inspired children's book, "Kusai's Haendelser" presents the creations of Danish illustrator Axel Salto, one of the great names of the Scandinavian avant-garde. It represents the artist's first creative phase, before he moved on to painting and ceramics. The story takes the hero, Axel, nicknamed Kusaï, into the heart of African nature. The young boy gets lost and encounters various animals, including a turtle, a deer and a snake, whom he bravely helps. The engravings and text interact to create an illustrated adventure in just a few pages. In 1934, Axel Salto became artistic director at the Royal Copenhagen porcelain factory and was awarded a prize at the Paris International Exhibition a few years later. While continuing his work as a draughtsman and wood engraver, he exhibited his ceramics throughout Europe. With fruit and plant forms, observation of nature is his primary source of inspiration. Literature: Mikael Wivel, Dansk kunst i det 20. århundrede, Gyldendal, 2008, p.299. A condition report and additional images are available on request.