In today’s culture, gnomes and trolls have become very popular. Many people do not know who the original artist started this trend.
John Albert Bauer is the Swedish artist and illustrator most widely known for his gnomes and trolls. Because of his detail in studying the Sami people in Northern Sweden, he used many of these same artifacts in his illustrations. He is most well known for his illustrations in the anthology called Among Gnomes and Trolls.
Table of Contents
- John Albert Bauer – The Creator of the Gnomes and Trolls
- John Albert Bauer In Lapland (Sami)
- John Bauer’s Art Technique
- John Bauer’s Tragic Death On Lake Vattern
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Questions
John Albert Bauer – The Creator of the Gnomes and Trolls
John Albert Bauer was a Swedish painter and illustrator. His work was mainly in landscape and mythology, but he also painted some portraits.
He is best known for his illustrations in the early additions of the Bland Tomtor och Troll, which translates into English Gnomes and Trolls.
John Albert Bauer was born and raised in Jonkoping, Sweden. His father was from Bavaria, and his mother was Swedish. His father came to Sweden penniless but was eventually very successful in the charcuterie or meat products business. His father was able to help support Bauer so he could study art.
Bauer Studied At Sweden’s Royal Academy Of Arts
At 16, Bauer moved from Jonkoping to Stockholm, Sweden, to study at Sweden’s Royal Academy of Arts. He was one of 40 applicants accepted at the Royal Academy of Art. When he arrived at the academy, they told him he was too young to be taken into the academy that year, so Bauer had to study at another academy and wait until he was older.
For the next two years, Bauer was torn between hope and complete despair, which would be reflected in his artwork.
When he reached the appropriate age, he was one of three students officially accepted into the Royal Academy of Art two years later. While he was at the academy, he met his future wife and fellow artist Ester Ellqvist.
Even though Ester attended the Royal Academy of Art, she did not participate in class with John. At that time, the program for women at the academy was very different from that for men. It was thought that women would get married and raise a family, so they did not need the same skill or training as men.
Ester did become an essential model for John and is featured in some of his works as the Fairy Princess (1904), Freja (1905), and Ester in the Cottage (1907).
by John Albert Bauer
by John Albert Bauer
by John Albert Bauer
John Albert Bauer In Lapland (Sami)
When John Albert Bauer was studying art, the land of the midnight sun, also known as Lapland or Sami, was considered a new frontier for economic and business development. Investors hired Illustrators to show what Lapland or Sami was like.
Bauer received a commission to go to Lapland or Sami and stay there a month. He encountered the Sami people and their culture; the experience of living in Sami became essential to him and his later work.
Bauer took many photos in Sami and detailed notes and drawings of the tools, costumes, and objects he saw. He was enthralled by the Goahti or a traditional Sami hut. The Sami Goiahi hut has three kinds of coverage: fabric, peat moss, and timber.
The artifacts he found in Lapland became essential for his version of the trolls he would illustrate. Objects such as bent knives, shoes, spears, pots, and belts became vital to his trolls.
One of the fantastic things about Bauer was his ability to understand etymology to study and understand the Sami culture. His ability to understand the Sami culture helped him in his illustrations.
The trolls in the forest became alive to Bauer. Some of his artist friends said he could see the creatures he was painting as he walked into the woods. Bauer saw his trolls as living and breathing entities.
Among Gnomes and Trolls – Bauer’s illustrations
Among Gnomes and Trolls (in Swedish known as Bland Tomtar Och Troll) is a popular Swedish folklore anthology published since 1907. There is no single author for the anthology; many of Sweden’s most popular authors have contributed to the work.
Bauer was the sole illustrator for the first four volumes of the anthology (Volumes 1 to 4). He did not illustrate Volume 5 as Norwegian Illustrator Louis Moe illustrated that volume.
Bauer continued to illustrate from 1912 to 1915 for Volumes 6 to 9. Bauer illustrated these books for seven years in total. One of his most famous works is Annu Sitter Tuvstarr Kevlar’s ser her i vattnet, which means Still, Tuvstarr sits and gazes down into the water.
His teachers at the Royal Academy could see Bauer’s talent and laborious attention to detail. One of his teachers, Gustaf Cederstrom, praised Bauer when he said:
“His art is what I would call great art, in his almost miniaturized works he gives an impression of something much more powerful than many monumental artists can accomplice on acres of canvas. It is not size that matters but content.”
Gustaf Cederstrom
John Bauer’s Art Technique
Bauer had a very time-consuming art technique. He would start with a small sketch no bigger than a postage stamp with only the basic shapes. Then, he would make a 2nd sketch with more detail on it.
He continued to make more extensive sketches, adding more detail until he arrived at the illustration’s final size, which was about 7.9 inches by 9.8 inches (20 centimeters by 25 centimeters).
He would doodle on any paper on hand, from stationary to the back of an envelope. With all the sketches and illustrations, his art technique was laborious and time-consuming.
Bauer would usually illustrate two sketch motifs for each sketch – one in a summer scene and one in a winter scene. He worked in various materials, from charcoal, pencil, watercolor, and oil.
Bauer is most widely known for his watercolors. But he is also known to mix various mediums, helping him speed up the time required to meet a deadline.
John Bauer’s Tragic Death On Lake Vattern
John Alber Bauer, his wife Ester, and their three-year-old son Bengt lived and studied in Italy for about a year.
On their way back to Stockholm, there had been a well-published train accident, so Bauer decided it would be safer to travel by boat across Lake Vattern instead of the train for a part of the journey. They decide to return to Stockholm by the steamer Per Brahe.
On December 19, 1918, when the steamer left Granna, it was loaded with many iron stoves, plowshares, sewing machines, and barrels. All the cargo could not fit into the hold, so they put a large amount of it unsecured on the deck.
By the time they hit the middle of the lake, the weather had turned, and a storm was raging. The high winds caused the cargo to fall overboard. Eventually, the ship capsized and descended 500 meters (1,600 feet) from their next port.
Twenty-four people died, including the entire Bauer family; many, like the Brauers, died as they were trapped in their cabins and could not get out to safety.
The untimely death of John Bauer and his wife and family was a tragedy. We lost a great artist who would have gone on to help create more fantastic artwork, especially the art of the forests, gnomes, and trolls.
Anita Louise Art is dedicated to art education, great artists, and inspiring others to find and create their art. We love art that uplifts and inspires. #ArtToMakeYouSmile! #ArtToMakeYouHappy!
If you are interested in seeing any of my art, you can find out more by clicking here. If you are interested in what inspires me and my paintings, you can discover more by clicking here.
We have a free newsletter and would love you to be part of our community; you can subscribe to the newsletter by clicking here. I would be happy to talk to you if you have any questions. You can reach me, Anita, by clicking here.
Subscribe to our Anita Louise Art YouTube Channel filled with great videos and information by clicking here.
Join us for our podcast “5 Minutes With Art.” Spend 5 minutes a week with us to discover and learn about great art and artists. You can find out more about our podcast by clicking here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was John Albert Bauer?
John Albert Bauer was a Swedish artist and illustrator born in 1882. He gained fame for his enchanting illustrations of gnomes and trolls, particularly in the anthology titled “Among Gnomes and Trolls.”
What inspired Bauer to focus on gnomes and trolls in his artwork?
Bauer drew inspiration from the folklore and mythology of Sweden, particularly the tales of gnomes and trolls. His fascination with these creatures led him to create intricate illustrations that captured the imagination of many.
Which famous anthology features Bauer’s notable illustrations?
Bauer’s most well-known illustrations are featured in the anthology called “Among Gnomes and Trolls.” This collection showcases his talent for bringing these mythical creatures to life through detailed and whimsical artwork.
Did Bauer have a particular artistic style when portraying gnomes and trolls?
Yes, Bauer’s artistic style was characterized by intricate details and a deep understanding of the Sami people’s culture in Northern Sweden. He incorporated elements from their artifacts into his illustrations, adding authenticity to his depictions of gnomes and trolls.
How did Bauer’s illustrations contribute to the popularization of gnomes and trolls in modern culture?
Bauer’s work played a significant role in popularizing the imagery of gnomes and trolls. His detailed and imaginative illustrations have influenced the way these mythical creatures are perceived in contemporary culture, including their depictions in gardens and folklore.
What period did Bauer live and create his artwork?
John Albert Bauer lived from 1882 to 1918. He created his iconic illustrations during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leaving a lasting impact on the world of fantasy art.
How did Bauer incorporate the culture of the Sami people into his illustrations?
Bauer meticulously studied the Sami people in Northern Sweden, incorporating elements from their culture and artifacts into his illustrations. This attention to detail added a unique and authentic dimension to his portrayals of gnomes and trolls.
Are Bauer’s original illustrations still available for public viewing?
Yes, many of John Albert Bauer’s original illustrations can be found in various collections and museums. These pieces continue to captivate art enthusiasts and those interested in folklore and fantasy.
Related Questions
Why Jeff Koons Made Puppy and Other Facts
Jeff Koons created the puppy for everyone to feel some optimism and security. He uses both flowers and a puppy which are two things that almost everyone loves and can relate to.
True to his heart, the puppy tests the limits between popular and elite culture. That is why he has a vast oversized dog that looks like a topiary plant.
By clicking here, you can learn more by reading Why Jeff Koons Made Puppy and Other Facts.
Who Is The Vietnamese-American Artist An-My Lê?
An-My Le is an American–Vietnamese artist known for her landscapes that incorporate cultural history and architecture in unique and exciting ways. She has photographed war reenactments and military training exercises through the lens of the complicated beauty of the landscape itself.
By clicking here, you can learn more by reading Who Is The Vietnamese-American Artist An-My Lê?.
