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A richly detailed and beautifully hand-painted limited edition cel of the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), created by Walt Disney Studios in 1987 to celebrate the film's 50th anniversary.
The Evil Queen was designed under the supervision of Grim Natwick and animated by Art Babbitt, whose work set the standard for Disney villains to come. Her angular grace, poised stillness, and calculated gaze became archetypes of animated storytelling, influencing character design for decades to come.
Each cel in this commemorative series was produced by Disney's Ink and Paint Department using the same traditional methods as the original production artwork. Individually hand-inked and hand-painted on celluloid acetate, these editions were created to preserve the artistry of the hand-painted cel process after it retired from active film production, ensuring that collectors could own authentic studio-made pieces crafted with the same skill and care as the originals.
The composition perfectly embodies the Queen's striking menace, her cold expression framed against a printed reproduction of the ornate peacock-feather background. The result is a commanding image of beauty and power that recalls the refinement of the 1937 classic. Numbered 333 of only 500 worldwide, this edition captures one of Disney's most unforgettable moments, with the Queen presenting the heart box that symbolises her chilling vanity and cruelty.
Bearing the official Walt Disney 50th Anniversary seal in the lower right, this cel represents both a celebration of Snow White's enduring legacy and a tribute to the studio's Golden Age craftsmanship. It is an exceptional example of Disney's dedication to preserving its own artistic heritage through limited, hand-painted editions that bridge the history of art and the culture of collecting. Dimensions: 34.5 cm x 43.5 cm (13.5" x 17")
Sold without copyright; see copyright notice in the Terms and Conditions.
Estimate: £1,000 - 2,000 Ω
View all lots from SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)