Nancy Ekholm Burkert (American, b. 1933) The Hill Was So High..., James and the Giant Peach book interior study, 1961 Mixed media on paper 18-5/8 x 12 inches (47.3 x 30.5 cm) (sheet) Not signed James and the Giant Peach, published in 1961, was brought to life by the detailed and whimsical illustrations of renowned artist Nancy Ekholm Burkert. Her intricate and delicate artwork complemented Roald Dahl's imaginative storytelling, enhancing the fantastical world of James and his insect companions. Burkert's illustrations, known for their fine lines and rich textures, added depth and visual charm to the narrative, capturing both the beauty and the oddities of the giant peach and its crew's journey. This large, detailed work is nearly identical to the final as published. Aunts Spiker and Sponge are not present between the house on the hill and the peach tree in this version, but the scene is fully fleshed out with slight variations of shading in the foreground. The final version of the present work is published on page 3 of James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (Penguin, 1961) and as figure 22 in The Art of Nancy Ekholm Burkert by Nancy Ekholm Burkert (Harper & Row, 1977). HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved