alexandral | 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

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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I wish I had my mother's book about Bauer here, then I could answer you in more detail!

Many of Bauer's illustrations weren't made for "traditional" Swedish fairy stories but for the kind of "modern" fairy story that was popular here at the turn of the century. If I remember correctly both The Ring which the illustration of the riding prince is from, and the key story (that I can't remember the name of now) was that kind of story.

The Ring was about a young woman (she might have been a princess, I don't remember since it's been 40 years or so since I actually read the story and not only looked at the picture :-) who was a prisoner or something and she threw her golden ring out the window and asked it to fetch someone that could help her. The ring was found by the prince who was out riding in the moonlight. And then I don't remember any more I'm afraid :-)

The only thing I remember about the key story is that the three old women was some kind of wise women and that they helped the girl with who's holding the key in the illustration.

Thank you so much for the fairytale details!!! EEEE! The prince with the ring!!

I particular like the wise women! (whom I mistakengly thought to be men)

John Bauer

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