Stunning Surreal Illustrations by Swedish Artist John Bauer from the Early 1900s

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.

#1 Dag and Daga, and the Flying Troll of Sky Mountain, 1907

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#2 Dag and Daga, and the Flying Troll of Sky Mountain, 1907

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#3 Dag and Daga, and the Flying Troll of Sky Mountain, 1907

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#4 The Seven Wishes, 1907

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#5 Giant, 1909

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#6 The Old Troll of Big Mountain, circa 1910s

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#7 Dag and Daga, and the Flying Troll of Sky Mountain, 1907

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#8 Dag and Daga, and the Flying Troll of Sky Mountain, 1907

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#9 The Giant Who Slept for Ten Thousand Years, circa 1910s

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#10 The Prince Without a Shadow, 1910

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#11 The Troll Ride, 1910

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#12 The Maiden in the Castle of Rosy Clouds, 1911

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#13 Bella’s Glorious Adventure, 1912

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#14 Here is a piece of magic herb for you. Something only I can find. The boy who was never afraid, 1912

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#15 Humpe climbed up on his lap, 1912

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#16 Little boy and Troll, 1912

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#17 She Kissed the Bear on the Nose, 1912

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#18 The Boy Who Was Never Afraid, 1912

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#19 The Magician’s Cape, 1912

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#20 A Forest Troll, 1913

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#21 Humpe in the Woods, 1913

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#22 Leap the Elk and Little Princess Cottongrass, 1913

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#23 Leap the Elk and Little Princess Cottongrass, 1913

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#24 Leap the Elk and Little Princess Cottongrass, 1913

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#25 The Changelings, 1913

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#26 The Changelings, 1913

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#27 The Changelings, 1913

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#28 The Magician’s Cape, 1914

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#29 The Queen’s Pearl Necklace, 1914

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#30 The Queen’s Pearl Necklace, 1914

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#31 The Ring, 1914

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#32 The Ring, 1914

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#33 When Mother Troll Took in the King’s Washing, 1914

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#34 When Mother Troll Took in the King’s Washing, 1914

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#35 Bland Tomtar och Troll-2, 1915

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#36 Bland Tomtar och Troll-3, 1915

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#37 Bland Tomtar och Troll-4, 1915

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#38 Bland Tomtar och Troll-5, 1915

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#39 Bland Tomtar och Troll, 1915

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#40 Trolls and princess, 1915

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