Heinrich Lefler

In the process of putting together a recent Guest Post in which Lissa Sloan explored religious/immortal characters in fairy tales, I discovered a new-to-me fairy tale illustrator with some gorgeous images, Heinrich Lefler (1863-1919). These images seem to have such a wide variety of styles that I was inclined to doubt they were all done by the same artist (such as the two illustrations of the final scene of "Six Swans"-very different, but both attributed to Lefler). Unfortunately I had a hard time tracking down more authoritative sources than Pinterest, so if anyone knows better, please let me know in the comments! He did often work with his brother in law, Joseph Urban, so maybe that explains some of the differences. In any case, enjoy some eye candy!



Six Swans



Snow White


Andersen's "Princess and the Swineherd"


Godfather Death


Little Mermaid





Sleeping Beauty


Goose Girl


Hansel and Gretel


The Nightingale


Cinderella

The Storybook Collection by JBW Studios

Artist J. Brooke Patterson creates intricate dioramas within real eggshells. The Storybook Collection contains several fairy tale scenes (as well as nursery rhymes, not included here).


Princess and the Pea


The Nightingale


Thumbelina


Rumpelstiltskin


Goldilocks and the Three Bears


Hansel and Gretel (this one lights up!!)


The Ugly Duckling

Artist’s Statement

"As a container of life, the egg inspires one to imagine the many things that can dwell inside.  It can frame and focus a passing observation, or a deep contemplation, and its intimate nature can draw people inwards. Inside this space is where I create little worlds that can enchant, delight, and amuse people.  While the themes are often narrative, I also embrace an appreciation for the decorative.  The shell itself is often a subject of my work and a point of departure.  I will explore its color and texture, and the juxtaposition between its strength and fragility.  I make a conscious effort to consider, choose, and combine different artistic methods.  It is in using the humblest of materials that I find the greatest reward."

-J. Brooke Patterson

Happy Easter!

RovinaCai

Beauty and the Beast

Beautiful art by RovinaCai

Inspired by Black Swan

The Grimms' Six Swans

Artist Feature: David Hockney

Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm with Illustrations by David Hockney,

originally published in 1969

Rapunzel


The Boy Who went Forth to Learn What Fear Is



Rumpelstiltskin


Fundevogel (Foundling Bird)

From brainpickings.org:
"What makes Hockney’s visual interpretation especially enchanting is that while traditional fairy tale images tend to rely on beauty and color to create magic and contrast the beautiful and the ugly to distinguish between good and evil, even the princesses in his black-and-white illustrations are unassuming, ugly even; where ornate, detailed imagery would ordinarily fill the traditional visual vignette, Hockney’s ample use of negative space invites the imagination to roam freely. Perhaps above all, his haunting, scary, architectural illustrations serve as a testament to J.R.R. Tolkien’s assertion that, even if they might appeal to the young, fairy tales are not written “for children.”"

Matthew Grabelsky's "Anomaly" Series

This series of paintings by Matthew Grabelsky imagines fantastic and fairy tale characters in the modern world. There are more paintings not included here because they are less directly related to fairy tales, but interesting and relevant if you're interested.

Description:

"In the vein of the TV show „Once Upon a Time“ or the graphic novel series „Fables“, Matthew Grabelsky‘s oil paintings show a wide variety of mythical and fairy tale creatures in the modern world. The painting style and locations are extremely realist, but the characters and situations are surreal, which is an absolutely interesting combination. They show a mix of humans, animals, and anthropomorphic characters and many of these paintings feature human/beast couples. Seeing these creatures alongside people is both comical and cool."

Some of the paintings aren't necessarily inspired by a specific fairy tale (that I'm aware of) but the animal/human couples remind me of Animal Bridegroom tales:

And this looks like it could be inspired by Little Red Riding Hood:

Gordon Laite Fairy Tale Illustrations

Some eye candy for your Thursday, courtesy of illustrator Gordon Laite (1925-1978)


Rapunzel




Beauty and the Beast












Wild Swans

Snow White and Rose Red