Bidding for this lot will end on Friday, March 27th. The auction will begin at 2:00 PM (PDT) / 5:00 PM (EDT) / 9:00 PM (GMT) and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Wednesday, March 25th or Thursday, March 26th.
A beautiful original production drawing of Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Walt Disney, 1937), attributed to Grim Natwick from the beloved "Silly Song" sequence.
This graceful drawing shows Snow White mid-dance, her dress flowing as she performs with the Seven Dwarfs in their cottage. Natwick was specifically chosen to animate Snow White's sequences due to his expertise with the female form, having previously created Betty Boop at Fleischer Studios. His challenge was to make Snow White believable as a young woman rather than a cartoon caricature, requiring a delicate balance between realism and Disney's house style.
The drawing demonstrates Natwick's sophisticated approach to the dancing sequences. While live-action reference footage of dancer Marge Champion was available, Natwick famously went beyond simple rotoscoping, often using only the first and last frames of reference shots to create original, fluid motion that felt naturally animated rather than traced. This technique allowed him to capture the essence of Champion's performance while maintaining the spontaneity essential to great character animation.
The technical execution shows Disney's multi-stage production process. Red pencil construction lines establish the initial pose and movement, while refined graphite cleanup work defines the final character form. The faint green effects notation beneath Snow White's feet provided lighting guidance for subsequent production stages.
Natwick animated over 120 scenes for the film, including iconic moments like the cottage cleaning sequence and "Someday My Prince Will Come." His work on Snow White established new standards for realistic character animation that influenced the industry for decades.
Production drawings from Disney's first feature remain among the most significant artifacts in animation collecting, representing the moment when cartoon shorts evolved into sophisticated cinematic storytelling. Natwick's attribution enhances the piece's importance, connecting it to one of animation's master craftsmen at the peak of his artistry.
An exceptional example from the film that launched Disney's animation empire and redefined what animated characters could achieve dramatically.
Estimate: $1,500 - 3,000