alexandral: (Burne-Jones - The Wedding of Psyche)
alexandral ([personal profile] alexandral) wrote2007-05-28 10:30 pm
Entry tags:

John Bauer

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 [livejournal.com profile] 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:

........



.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

[identity profile] alexandral.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
It is so interesting! I was just reading that in "Dark Crystal" film creatures from both john bauer and Brian Froud were used!

[identity profile] meganbmoore.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
Have you seen any of Brian Froud's artbooks? They're gorgeous, in an odd way. Best examples of Charles Vess's art are his Book of Ballads and the original illustrated Stardust.

[identity profile] alexandral.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
I haven't seen any sadly yet - OHHHHH! GOBLINS :http://www.amazon.com/Goblins-Brian-Froud/dp/0810949415

[identity profile] meganbmoore.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 12:45 am (UTC)(link)
Better, extended version: http://www.amazon.com/Goblins-Labyrinth-20th-Anniversary/dp/0810970554/ref=sr_1_2/002-2939656-4047261?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180399425&sr=1-2

Faeries is still his best though.

[identity profile] alexandral.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
OH my! I feel I will be splashing on some books tomorrow under pretense of getting them for Sasha!

[identity profile] meganbmoore.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
Goblins of Labyrinth should be fine, but I'd look through Faeries(get the 25th anniversary edition) before letting her see it.

[identity profile] alexandral.livejournal.com 2007-05-30 07:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you for the rec!