Fairy Tales

Welcome to that section of our Virtual Museum highlighting illustrations depicting seminal

scenes from fairy tales drawn from a variety of traditions.

Here, you will have the opportunity to connect with wonderful illustrations prepared to

accompany enduring fairy tales by some of the great artists from the Golden Age of Illustration.

We also offer you the option to purchase Art Prints, Posters and Greeting Cards, with all our

reproduction images produced with archival quality processes to ensure many years of

enjoyment.

The English term "fairy tale" corresponds, to some degree, with the French phrase "conte

de fée", the Spanish phrase "cuento de hadas", the German term "Märchen", and the Swedish

term "saga".

Whilst such tales may be populated by characters including fairies, goblins, elves, trolls,

dwarves, gnomes and giants, that may not necessarily be the case in all circumstances.

Similarly, while many of those fantasy tales have a happy ending, that is not a prerequisite.

To the left, we show "Advice from a Caterpillar" by Adrienne Ségur -

an illustration for a French version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

The very nature of the "fairy tale" has been a significant factor in providing fertile ground for artistic endeavours and within the Collection, there are numerous

examples of inspirational artwork from the Golden Age of Illustration that depict

scenes from those enduring tales, including stories from the Brothers Grimm and

the Dutch author Hans Christian Andersen, traditional English, Irish, Norse and

Brazilian tales, in addition to the works of Charles Perrault, Madame d'Aulnoy,

Jonathon Swift, Goethe and many other authors - known and unknown -

contributing to the vast body of fairy tale literature

To the right, we show and illustration from John Bauer

published in the 1915 Edition of Bland Tomtar Och Troll.

Below, we show some examples of artwork appearing in our Virtual Museum prepared to

depict scenes from fairy tales - to experience more of associated artwork or that of the relevant

artist, simply follow the hyperlinks embedded in the following images and text. To purchase any

item, click on the appropriate "Add to Cart" button and you will be taken through to our

Shopping Cart secured through PayPal - multiple purchases will be consolidated by that feature

and shipping and packaging costs to any destination in the world are accommodated by our

flat-rate US$20 fee for each US$200 worth of purchases.

We are able to reproduce these images in a variety of sizes and naturally, should you wish to order a Reproduction Print in another format, we welcome your contact through ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com.

 To the left, we show one of our 18x24" Art Posters displaying

"The Marsh King's Daughter" by Kay Nielsen.

Soon she was lost to sight in the Danube

Arthur Rackham

Then the dragon made a dart at the hunter,

but he swung his sword round and cut off

three of the beast's heads

Kay Nielsen

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: AR U 14 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

Reproduction on 16 x 20" sheet

Code: KN SHD (16x20)
Price: US$120.00

This illustration from Rackham was one of a suite prepared for the 1909

Edition of Undine - a variant on the fairy tale story of the Knight Haldbrand

of Ringstetten and Undine, the water-spirit.

Arthur Rackham (1867-1939) is one of the great artists associated with the

Golden Age of Illustration.

His illustrations are characterized by a sinuous pen line softened with

muted watercolor - a feature that is typical of the Art Nouveau aesthete.

Rackham's forests are looming with frightening grasping roots, his fair

maidens are sensuous - yet somehow chaste - and his ogres and trolls ugly

enough to repulse, but with sufficient good nature not to frighten.

For more information on Arthur Rackham and to see more of his art, we

invite you to peruse our Arthur Rackham Collection.

This illustration from Nielsen is one of a suite prepared for Hansel and

Gretel: And Other Stories by the Brothers Grimm - in this case, the

illustration is associated with the tale "The Two Brothers".

Kay Nielsen (1886-1957) is considered by many to be among the leading

artists associated with the Golden Age of Illustration.

Nielsen's first published commission included a suite of monotone and

full colour illustrations for In Powder and Crinoline (1913). A year later,

his illustrations from East of the Sun and West of the Moon - considered

by many to be among his masterpieces - were published. Following

World War I, he produced other great works, including Fairy Tales by

Hans Andersen, Hansel and Gretel: And Other Stories from the Brothers

Grimm and Red Magic.

For more information on Kay Nielsen and to see more of his art, we

invite you to peruse our Kay Nielsen Collection.

There he found the Princess asleep and saw that

her face was the face he had seen in the portrait

Edmund Dulac

The Young Witch

Willy Pogány

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: ED EDFB 14 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: WP F C27 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

This illustration from Dulac was one of a suite prepared for the 1916 Edition of

Edmund Dulac's Fairy-Book - it depicts a scene from the traditional Russian tale

'The Firebird'.

Edmund Dulac (1882-1953) is one of the great artists associated with the

Golden Age of Illustration.

Dulac displayed an artistic interest from an early age, with his favorite

medium - watercolors - being established in his teenage years. Typically,

Dulac's early illustrations do not rely upon an ink line to hold the colour as

he approached the relatively new colour printing medium as a colored ink

drawing.

In 1913, the mellow, romantic blues that Dulac had tended towards a brighter

palette and more oriental style that characterized his work for the remainder

of his life.

For more information on Edmund Dulac and to see more of his art, we invite

you to peruse our Edmund Dulac Collection.

This illustration by Willy Pogány is one of a suite prepared for the 1908

Edition of Geothe's Faust.

Willy Pogány (1882-1955) was another of the artists identified with the

Golden Age of Illustration. He was a prolific contributor to both

childrens' and adult books - providing illustrations to over 100 titles.

His Art Nouveau influenced work is simply stunning.

Departing from his native Hungary, Pogány lived in London for 10

years from 1906 - illustrating a number of books during that time,

including Faust (1908) and the most elaborate of his numerous

interpretations of Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám (1909).

Prior to his emigration to the United States of America in 1914, Pogány

also completed what are considered to be his masterpieces, with

contributions to Wagner's trilogy of Tannhäuser (1911), Parsifal (1912)

and Lohengrin (1913). Fabulous work followed his relocation to the

United States of America, including his magnificent monotone work for

The Kasidah of Haji Abdu El-Yezdi (1931) and The Light of Asia; or,

The Great Renunciation (Mahâbhinishkramana) being The Life and

Teaching of Gautama (1932).

For more information on Willy Pogány and to see more of his art, we

invite you to peruse our Willy Pogány Collection.

The Foundling-Bird

Sulamith Wülfing

Come - she is judged!

Harry Clarke

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: SW DT M12 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F C8 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

This illustration from Wülfing was one of a suite prepared for the 1935 Edition of

Die Truhe - it depicts a scene from the traditional German tale ''The Foundling-Bird''

collected by the Brothers Grimm.

Sulamith Wülfing (1901-1989) was a German artist and illustrator associated with

the Golden Age of Illustration. She is best known for her unique style of depicting

ethereal themes.

With a familial background that included Theosophist parents, Wülfing's interest

in illustrating fairytales and mystical events may be understood. However, given

that she, herself, experienced visitations from angels, fairies, gnomes and nature

spirits throughout her life, Wülfing's art provides an insight into her own

otherworldly visions.

For more information on Sulamith Wülfing and to see more of her art, we invite

you to peruse our Sulamith Wülfing Collection.

This illustration is one of a suite prepared by Clarke for the 1925 Edition of

Faust - it depicts a scene described in the Chapter entitled 'Prison'.

Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was a leading figure in the Irish Arts and Crafts

movement and is best known for his stained glass designs and book

illustrations. In respect of his book illustrations, he is one of the artists

associated with the Golden Age of Illustration.

Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen was his first published work,

although he had previously been working on illustrations to accompany

Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner - work which had been

destroyed in Dublin's devastating 1916 Easter Uprising. A number of

commissions followed Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen ,

including The Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault and his contributions to

Tales of Mystery and Imagination - a project that established his stellar

reputation as an illustrator.

His second to last project, Faust, is considered his most important as it is

a precursor to the evocative psychedelic imagery that has come to be

associated with artwork from the 1960s. Selected Poems of Algernon

Swinburne was his final commission and, due to the licentious nature of

Clarke's illustrations, that title was banned in Ireland.

For more information on Harry Clarke and to see more of his art, we

invite you to peruse our Harry Clarke Collection.

Rosalie saw before her eyes

a tree of marvelous beauty

Virginia Sterrett

I was accordingly laid in a cradle of mother-of-pearl,

ornamented with gold and jewels

Warwick Goble

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: VS OFFT C2 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: WG FB C25 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

This illustration by Virginia Sterrett is one of a suite prepared for Old French

Fairy Tales - it depicts a scene described in the tale ''The Little Grey Mouse''.

Virigina Sterrett (1900-1931) was an American artist of extraordinary talent

associated with the Golden Age of Illustration. During her short life, she left

the World with many beautiful images that displayed her outstanding ability

to imbibe fantasy images with the spirit of her own age.

Sterrett received her first commission at the tender age of 19 (shortly after

she was diagnosed with Tuberculosis) from The Penn Publishing Company

to illustrate Old French Fairy Tales - a collection of works from the

19th Century French author, Comtesse de Ségur (Sophie Fedorovna

Rostopchine).

A year after the publication of Old French Fairy Tales, a new title including

commissioned works from Sterrett was presented by The Penn Publishing

Company - Tanglewood Tales.

From 1923, in failing health, Sterrett was able to work on projects for short

periods of time only and as a result, she was able to complete just one further

commission prior to her death - her own interpretation of Arabian Nights.

For more information on Virginia Sterrett and to see more of her art, we

invite you to peruse our Virginia Sterrett Collection.

This is one of a suite of illustrations prepared by Warwick Goble for the

1913 Edition of The Fairy Book - it depicts a scene described in the tale

''The White Cat''.

Warwick Goble (1862-1943) was among the English artists associated with

the Golden Age of Illustration. He took training in London and focused

on watercolours as a medium - being first employed by a printer

specialising in chromolithography.

Among his first published illustrations were those accompanying

The Oracle of Baal and War of the Worlds. Other commissions followed

in the early 1900s including The Water-babies: A fairy tale for a Land-baby

(1909), Green Willow and Other Japanese Fairy Tales (1910), Stories from

the Pentamerone (1911), The Complete Poetical Works of Geoffrey Chaucer

(1912), Folk Tales of Bengal (1912), Indian Myth and Legend (1913),

The Fairy Book (1913) and The Book of Fairy Poetry (1920).

For more information on Warwick Goble and to see more of his art, we

invite you to peruse our Warwick Goble Collection.

The great dragon, hoarding his treasures,

raised his head to look at them

Dugald Stewart Walker

"Well! mind and hold tight by my shaggy coat, and

then there's nothing to fear," said the Bear

Reginald Knowles

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Reproduction on 20x30" sheet

Code: DW FTHCA M17 (20x30)
Price: US$200.00

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RK NFT C5 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

This illustration is one of a suite prepared for the 1914 Edition of Fairy Tales from

Hans Christian Andersen - it is an example of the superbly detailed monotone

images that were designed by Walker and depicts a scene described in the tale

"The Marsh King's Daughter".

Dugald S (Stewart) Walker (1883-1937) was an American artist associated with the

Golden Age of Illustration. He was a painter noted for his lyrical depiction of

scenes and human form influenced by Art Nouveau and Impressionism.

His first comprehensive suite of illustrations appeared in Stories for Pictures (1912)

and he was described in the Foreword by Mackay in justifiably glowing terms,

thus:

Dugald Stewart Walker, a new artist of remarkable talent,

suggesting Rackham and Dulac but entirely original in spirit

and execution.

Further commissions followed, in the form of his illustrations for Fairy Tales

from Hans Christian Andersen (1914), Dream Boats and Other Stories (1918),

The Wishing Fairy's Animal Friends (1921), Rainbow Gold (1922),

Snythergen (1923), The Six Who Were Left in a Shoe (1923), Many Wings (1923),

The Dust of Seven Days (1924), Squiffer (1924), The Golden Porch (1925),

Orpheus with his Lute (1926), Mopsa the Fairy (1927) and Go! Champions of

Light (1933).

Walker displayed an outstanding eye for colour and was also superbly gifted

throughout his detailed monotone illustrations.

For more information on Dugald Walker and to see more of his art, we invite

you to peruse our Dugald Stewart Walker Collection.

This is one of a suite of illustrations prepared by Reginald Knowles for the

1910 Edition of Norse Fairy Tales - it depicts a scene described in the tale

"East of the Sun and West of the Moon".

Reginald Knowles (1879-1950) was a book designer and illustrator who

worked with his brother, Horace Knowles, on a number of exquisite

illustrated books in the first two decades of the 20th Century and thus,

the pair are associated with the Golden Age of Illustration.

While both brothers usually share equal credit for their collaborative

projects, it is understood that most of the colour illustrations and detailed

monotone images were prepared by Reginald Knowles.

The Art Nouveau, Fantasy and Gothic Revival imagery captured in the

illustrations by the Knowles' brothers is magnificent.

For more information on Reginald Knowles and to see more of his art, we

invite you to peruse our Reginald and Horace Knowles Collection.

The King of the Sea saved

him as he was falling

Frank C Papé

Our Lady's Child; or, Mary's Child

Heinrich Lefler and Joseph Urban

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: FCP RFB C7 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

Reproduction on 18x24" sheet

Code: LU GM6 (18x24)
Price: US$150.00

This illustration is one of a suite prepared by Papé's for the 1911 Edition

of The Ruby Fairy Book - it depicts a scene described in the tale

"Axim's Reward".

Frank C Papé (1878-1972) was an English artist associated with the

Golden Age of Illustration. He contributed colour illustrations to many

titles in his early career - at that time, his artwork carried many Art

Nouveau and Pre-Raphaelite influences.

Throughout the latter part of his career, Papé contributed to illustrated

books almost exclusively with monotone images.

For more information on Frank C Papé, we invite you to peruse our

Frank C Papé Collection.

This is one of a suite of illustrations prepared by Lefler and Urgan for the 1905 Edition of

Grimm's Märchen - it depicts a scene described in the tale "Mary's Child".

Heinrich Lefler (1863-1919) and Joseph Urban (1872-1933) are Austrian artists associated

with the Golden Age of Illustration - they are particularly linked with the Jungendstil

movement (the German variant of Art Nouveau).

Lefler and Urban were brothers-in-law who often worked in collaboration. The pair

founded the Hagenbund - an exhibiting society similar to the Secessionists. Lefler was a

painter and Urban was skilled as an architect, book illustrator, exhibit designer, interior

decorator and set designer.

Lefler and Urban collaborated on a number of illustrated books, in addition to designs for

more than 20 theatrical productions.

Soon after the publication of Andersen Kalender (and Csoda Album - including images from

Andersen Kalender - in Hungary) in 1911, Urban emigrated to the United States where he

established a reputation in set design for such productions as the Boston Opera Company,

the Ziegfield Follies and the Metropolitan Opera. At one time, he was Art Director for

William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan Studios. He also created landmark architecture,

including the Paramount Theatre Building, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida and the

New School and Hearst Magazine Building in New York.

For more information on Lefler and Urban and to see more of their art, we invite you to

peruse our Heinrich Lefler and Joseph Urban Collection.

The Sea King's Queen

John Bauer

Little Red Riding Hood

Adrienne Ségur

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: JB SKQ (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: AS IEUFVCF C1 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

This illustration from John Bauer depicts a scene described in the traditional

Swedish tale ''The Sea King's Queen'.

John Bauer (1882-1918) was a Swedish artists associated with the Golden Age of

Illustration.

Bauer was born in Jönköping and showed artistic talent from an early age. When

he was 16, he left home to study art in Stokholm and within two years, he was

attending the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts.

His first major commission was established in 1904 and a suite of images arising

from the commission was later published in Lappland: Det Stora Svenska

Framtidslandet - En skildring i ord och bild af dess natur och folk. Three years later,

Bauer began work on a suite of images that was to be the first in a series for which

he would gain lasting fame - they were to be the first colour and monotone suite

for Bland Tomtar Och Troll (a Swedish publication first published for Christmas in

1907). Bauer continued as the sole contributor to the annual Bland Tomtar Och

Troll until his final suite of illustrations published in the 1915 edition.

In addition to the wonderful work within the first 9 editions of Bland Tomtar Och

Troll, Bauer pursued his artistic interests through other projects including a number of

monumental frescos, authoring fairytale plays for children and composing a libretto

for Bergakungen.

Bauer died in a ferry disaster in 1918, but he was to leave a significant artistic legacy

with clear influences being noted in the work of Arthur Rackham, Kay Nielsen and

Willy Pogány, in addition to modern illustrators.

For more information on John Bauer, and to view further examples of his artwork,

we invite you to peruse our John Bauer Collection.

This illustration is one of a suite prepared by Ségur for Il était une fois ... vieux

contes français (1951) - it is associated with the traditional tale ''Little Red Riding

Hood''.

Adrienne Ségur (1901-1981) was most active as a children's book illustrator

through the two decades following World War II, but her first published

illustrations appeared in Le Pays des 36000 volontés when she was 28. A year

later, in 1930, her second suite of illustrations was published for Aventures de

Cotonnet - a book that was followed by two sequels, Cotonnet, Aviateur and

Cotonnet en Amérique. Her earlier illustrations, while charming, were simple

and stood in stark contrast to the hauntingly beautiful and whimsically detailed

illustrated work that was to emerge in the 1940s.

In 1949, Ségur contributed colour and black and white illustrations to Alice au

pays des merveilles, the French adaptation of Carrolls' Alice in Wonderland - it

is considered her masterpiece. The colour illustrations, in particular, throughout

Alice au pays des merveilles, show the fantasy animals and imagery that marks

her stylistic 'coming of age'.

For more information on Adrienne Ségur and to see more of her art, we invite

you to peruse our Adrienne Ségur Collection.

On the perfumed high road which

leads to happiness

Florence Anderson

Elves by Candlelight

Gustaf Tenggren

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Reproduction on 18x24" sheet

Code: FA BPOFTB C2 (18x24)
Price: US$150.00

Reproduction on 18x24" sheet

Code: GT G (18x24)
Price: US$150.00

This illustration is one of the suite prepared by Florence Anderson for the

1916 Edition of The Black Princess and Other Fairy Tales from Brazil - it

depicts a scene described in the traditional tale ''Branca Flor'' (''Snowdrop'').

Florence Anderson was an English artist active as a book illustrator

throughout the first three decades of the 20th Century. Her art was

influenced by the British Fairy School.

Her first major commission appears to have been an extensive suite of

colour and monotone illustrations prepared for The Dream-Pedlar published

in 1914. Anderson received further substantial commissions throughout the

decade that followed, including major suites of colour and monotone

illustrations prepared for: The Travelling Companions (1915); Little Dwarf

Nose & The Magic Whistle (1916); The Black Princess and other Fairy Tales

from Brazil (1916); The Cradle Ship (1916); The Magic Kiss (1916);

My Fairyland (1916); Nutcracker and Mouse King (1916); Adventures in

Magic Land and Other Tales (1917); The Rainbow Twins (1919); Valentine

and Orson: The Twin Knights of France (1919); Secrets of the Flowers (1919);

The Password to Fairyland (1920); and The Singing Fish (1922).

For more information on Florence Anderson and to see more of her art, we

invite you to peruse our Florence Anderson Collection.

This illustration was prepared by Tenggren prior to his emigration to the United

States and it depicts the traditional elves of his Swedish homeland.

Gustaf Tenggren (1896-1970) is one of the artists associated with the Golden Age of

Illustration.

Tenggren's earliest published commissions were in Sweden and following Bauer's

final work for Bland Tomtar Och Troll, Tenggren illustrated 10 volumes for that

annual collection of tales (even following his emigration to the United States of

America in 1920).

After settling in the United States, Tenggren received further commissions for

illustrated books and worked for Walt Disney Studios throughout the 1930s (he was

Art Director on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and contributed to other

productions including Bambi, The Ugly Duckling, Hiawatha and Fantasia).

Throughout his later career, he worked on his own publishing projects and with

The Golden Press. It is through his work for The Golden Press that he reached mass

market popularity - with one of his illustrated books, The Poky Little Puppy being the

World's most printed.

For more information on Gustaf Tenggern and to see more of his art, we invite you

to peruse our Gustaf Tenggren Collection.

Snow White and Rose Red

Richard Doyle

Bluebeard

Felix de Gray

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Full image (on the left) and detail (to the right) for reference

Reproduction on 20x30" sheet

Code: RD SWRR (20x30)
Price: US$200.00

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: FG C1 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

This gorgeous illustration by Doyle depicts a scene from the tale ''Snow White and Rose Red'', as

collected by the Brothers Grimm - the moment when the evil Dwarf is caught in the tree by his

beard and Snow White and Rose Red are going to his aid.

Richard Doyle (1824-1883) is among the artists associated with the Golden Age of Illustration.

While Doyle had no formal art training, his artistic skills were developed through his familial environment (his father, John Doyle, was a noted political caricaturist and two of his brothers

were also artists). At the age of 19, he joined the staff of Punch and was responsible for designing

its now-famous masthead.

In 1846, Doyle's illustrations for The Fairy Ring were published and he gained considerable

recognition - and further commissions - as a fairytale illustrator. His work on subsequent illustrated

books included: The Enchanted Doll; The Story of Jack and the Giants; and The King of the Golden

River.

The World, however, was to wait until the Christmas of 1869 for what is now regarded as his

masterwork, In Fairyland - A Series of Pictures from the Elf World, a book that has since been

described as one of the finest examples of Victorian book production.

For more information on Richard Doyle, or to view more of his art, we invite you to peruse our Richard Doyle Collection that includes some of his seminal work.

This illustration by Felix de Gray is one of a series prepared to depict scenes

from a variety of fairy tales and published in The Illustrated London News.

Felix de Gray is a French artist associated with the Golden Age of Illustration.

His most well-known work was published throughout the 1920s.

For more information on Felix de Gray and other illustrators from the

Golden Age of Illustration, we invite you to peruse our Petit Collection.