John Bauer

[alexandral]

John Bauer (04.07.1882 – 20.11.1918 was a painter and illustrator from Sweden. His most known illustrations are for the popular Swedish fairytale annual, "Bland tomtar och troll" (Among Elves and Trolls) . Apparently this annual is still going! I was introduced to his art by baleanoptera in her excellent post Picturing that which is not, again and immediately fell in love with it.

John Bauer was one of the people whose life follows inexplicable and dark fate. His sister died when she was 13 and this made a huge impact on him and his family. He was suffering from depression and had family difficulties in his later life. John Bauer, his wife and his son died in the shipwreck and this is a very strange story : they decided to go to Stockholm by ferry because they had heard of the recent train accident.

I have been collecting his illustrations for quite a while already and meant to post them for ages. They are absolutely amazing, outworldly and mysterious!
























































I have made some icons from John Bauers's illustrations, free to share. Preview:

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.01.02.03.04

.05.06.07.08

.09.10.11.12

.13.14.15.16

.17.18.19.20

.21.22.23.24

.25.26.27.28

Comments

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

i had an english version with these illustrations when i was a kid....they're so very gorgeous. although i don't remember much of the story itself, the images have stayed with me. he manages to create a sense of space and depth, along with the shadowed impact of the themes.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking that I would love to have a book with these illustrations. But LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Swedish-Folk-Tales-Polly-Lawson/dp/0863154573 I am definitely going to get this for Sasha..

he manages to create a sense of space and depth, along with the shadowed impact of the themes.

Is manner of painting is quite unique, isn't it! It is so easily recognizable!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you liked! I am so blown away by his art!! I have found a book with his illustrations! Wheeeee! :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Swedish-Folk-Tales-Polly-Lawson/dp/0863154573

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

pretty. reminds me a loit of both Charles Vess and Brian Froud.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

It is so interesting! I was just reading that in "Dark Crystal" film creatures from both john bauer and Brian Froud were used!

[ancarett]

Beautiful!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you enjoyed!! In a very busy time for you!

[rika-66.livejournal.com]

Beatiful pics, exellent art! I love it.
Thank you for sharing. I've seen only few of these illustrations before.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you like!
There is so much character in his illustrations! I have read that John Bauer used his wife as a model for his princesses!!

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Eeee! This is so wonderful! And I LOVE the icons and I'm definitely taking a few. But which ones, because I very much would like them all. ;D But # 14 and 25 without question!

*squees some more* I'm adding this post to memories.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you like!!! It was you who introduced me to John Bauer's art!!! I have been looking for his works on and off for a while and strangely, visiting the National gallery put me in the mood. :D I am also making icons from the paintings of Impressionists but I haven't finished yet.

[the-grynne.livejournal.com]

I had no idea that Bauer died early this last century! Somehow, his work is so distinctive and familiar, yet so fresh. These icons are gorgeous.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

His works seem to be so contemporary, don't they? I am so glad you liked the icons!

[quabazaa.livejournal.com]

Wow never seen his work before it's so gorgeous!!!!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I keep staring at these illustrations for hours!! He is such an amazing artist!

[lizjonesbooks.livejournal.com]

OOO! Aaah!
Very reminiscent of Kay Neilsen! You should cross post this to storybookland if you haven't-- they'd love this!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for the rec!! I have posted them in storybookland. Thank you for the recommendation!

(gasp!)

[vespertine80808.livejournal.com]

These are absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing them! I've never seen his work before.

Re: (gasp!)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

His art is quite new to me too - I remember that feeling of "WOW! how gorgeous the first time I saw his art!!

[tangledtale.livejournal.com]

Popped over from storybookland and just wanted to thank you for sharing all these lovely illustrations with us. You know, looking at his drawings for trolls and netherworldly creatures just reminds me of how distinctive and at times definitive they are. Before I had ever seen any of Bauer's art, I was familiar with many of his trolls' features. The icons are beautiful and really cleverly cropped too, so I might nab a few to keep in storage for the oncoming winter months. There's nothing like a warm palette to ward away the chills. Well, that and actual, physical warmth, but you understand what I mean. :)

p.s. I don't know if you're still looking for image files of Bauer's work if you're going to buy a book of them as you indicated in the thread above, but if you like,I have a larger version of this picture (http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o51/alexandraleaving/bauer/bauer_ill15.jpg) on my computer somewhere. I feel a bit stupid suggesting something this inane (I mean, it's an image file!), but if you like, I could perhaps post it in another reply?

p.p.s You're an LJ-friend of Koala, right? I've seen you around on her LJ and knew that your user name sounded familiar for a reason. Hello! *waves*

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh, I am so glad you have wondered in!! It is such a pleasure to share the joy of something beautiful!!!

It would be great if you can post a bigger version of that image - in fact I was thinking that I saw the bigger version once and completely forgotten where. :D I am so sorry to be a pain - is it possible for you to give me a link instead of posting it? really big images break this layout. (I am so sorry for asking this!!)

And yes! koalathebear is one of my dear friends! Is it fine if I add you to my friends list??

[mlfoley.livejournal.com]

These are *awesome*.

Took 15, 25 and 26 - I'm curious though. Any idea who the three people in #25 are?

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you like! I don't know who the people are for sure yet (But I hope to find with the "Swedish fairytale" book I am ordering. ;D) I know that the story is called "The golden key" but it doesn't seem to be the one described in wiki :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Key

[eftelding.livejournal.com]

I love these images. John Bauer is one of the best artists ever!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

His illustrations are absolutely exquisite!

[whatisbiscuits.livejournal.com]

What a fantastic artist, and such classy icons. Thank you.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you :D

[turlough]

I love John Bauer! Being Swedish I pretty much grew up with him but I still love his art so very much! I'm snagging icon # 3 because that's always been my favourite painting of his and will of course credit when I use it. Thank you so much!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you like them! I only wish I knew the fairytales behind them a little better, the one with the horseman and the one with the girl and the golden key fascinate me to no end!

[majblomma.livejournal.com]

WOW! This is a breathtaking post. I visited the John Bauer museum not long ago and I love his art! I grew up not too far away from his hometown this makes me feel like I'm coming home /yes, I am a troll).

Saving all of these because I just can't choose.

Thank you!!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you :D

I visited the John Bauer museum not long ago and I love his art! I grew up not too far away from his hometown this makes me feel like I'm coming home

I am so jealous! I can imagine how much I could have loved the books with his illustrations when I was a child!

[i-am-the-crime.livejournal.com]

I love his art. We had some framed pictures of the trolls when I was a kid, as well as some of the books you mentioned. I actually read one of the stories last week!

Will proably snag some icons, just can't decide which ones yet. ;)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I can't wait for the books to arrive!! I really loved "Kalevala" as a child (I had wonderfully illustrated book) and this makes me feel like I felt all these years ago!!

[selkie-b.livejournal.com]

OO OOO OOOOOO!

Leap the Elk and Little Princess Cottongrass! One of my FAVORITE fairy tales!!

So yeah, I'm grabbing #14... it looks just like the poster of it my folks had up on the wall for years and years....

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Leap the Elk and Little Princess Cottongrass! One of my FAVORITE fairy tales!!

UIf this is fine to ask (you don't have to answer) - which fairytale and picture are you referring to? I am new to this and I would love to know the stories behind the pictures!

[le-dook.livejournal.com]

WOW. Thanks for posting all those pics, very very very awesome stuff.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you enjoyed!

[elirrina.livejournal.com]

Very pretty! The Tomten, by Astrid Lindgren, was one of my favorite books when I was little. The illustrations of the trolls look like it might have the same illustrator.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I adore Astrid Lindgren's books! But I think she was born in 1907 and it is very unlikely that Bauer did the illustrations for her books..

[saffronhouse.livejournal.com]

Wow - what gorgeous work. Thank you so much for posting.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for your lovely comment!

[wordweaver.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing these - I saved icons 1,5, and 28.

[norayn.livejournal.com]

Ooo and Aww !! I nabbed a few of your lovely icons!! Thank you!!

What gorgeous work!!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you :D

[lostlottie.livejournal.com]

I love Bauer! Thank you for posting and sharing your lovely icons! I think I am going to take number 28!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!! I am so glad you liked them!

[hametsuenorondo.livejournal.com]

These are simply gorgeous! Thank you so much for posting them, and I think I'm going to help myself to 11, 18, & 28. Will credit!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you :D