The work of Swedish painter and illustrator John Bauer (1882-1918) is deeply influenced by his time in Lappland, Germany, and Italy early in his career. His artwork also depicted the Italian Renaissance as well as the Sami culture. Bauer is primarily known for his illustrations in Bland tomtar och troll (Among Gnomes and Trolls), a collection of Swedish folklore and fairy tales; he also composed portraits.
Bauer produced a variety of works in watercolor or prints in muted colors and oil paintings and frescoes. His illustrations and paintings furthered understanding and appreciation of Swedish folklore, fairy tales, and landscape.
In 1918, Bauer drowned with his wife Ester and their son Bengt in a shipwreck on Lake Vättern in southern Sweden.
Here below are some stunning illustrations by John Bauer from the 1900s and 1910s.
