Sleeping Beauty (1959): Aurora, Maleficent, and a Distinctive Disney Art Style
Look back at Sleeping Beauty's 1959 release and the elaborate visual world behind its enduring collector appeal.
The film and its era
Disney's animated Sleeping Beauty was released in 1959. Princess Aurora, Prince Phillip, and Maleficent inhabit a world of stylized forests, castles, and dramatic color.
Why its imagery endures
The film's distinctive art direction makes it a compelling subject for prints, pins, dolls, and sculpted figures. Aurora's two famously debated dress colors also create different merchandise looks.
Collector notes
Collectors can group pieces around Aurora, Maleficent, the three good fairies, or the film's medieval-inspired art. Label modern reinterpretations as such instead of assuming every classic-looking item is vintage.