Saturday, February 11, 2012

Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927






Rie Cramer (1887-1977) was a Dutch children's book illustrator. She moved to the Netherlands from Indonesia when she was nine years old, and studied at the Art Academy in the Hague. I just discovered her illustrations a few days ago. Fascinated, I am still in the process of researching her life and her work.

I've included fourteen of the twenty-three full page color illustrations here at the Art of Narrative along with the lovely book cover and the plain but informative title page. I'm charmed by these illustrations. They are reminding me of everything from Anne Anderson and Virginia Sterrett to Kay Nielsen, and even Arthur Rackham and Gustaf Tenggren, though they are completely her own.

The complete illustrations for this edition of Grimm's Fairy Tales  are available to view in their original context along with each story by clicking the title link. You can also enjoy the illustrations for each chapter heading for stories with full page art and many more, like Haensel and Grethel.

The cover inset illustration is from the story, King Thrushbeard, where Cramer flatters not only the charismatic main characters, but also the little boy servant who is both handsome and winsome. The full page art for this story is included in the body of the book.

My favorite illustrations include the ones for Little Brother and Little Sister, The White Snake, The Six Swans, Rumpelstiltskin, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Snow-White and Rose-Red, The Goose Girl at the Well, Iron John; and especially the little star children from The Seven Swans, and The Gold-Children where the little maiden pledges her heart to the roughshod man.

Click each image for great detail.





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927






Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927






Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

Little Brother and Little Sister





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

The White Snake





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

The Seven Ravens





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

The Elves and the Shoemaker





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

Iron John





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

The Six Swans





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

The Gold-Children





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

Rumpelstiltskin





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

The Golden Bird





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

The Goose-Girl





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

Snow-White and Rose-Red





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

The Goose Girl at the Well





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

The Nix of the Mill Pond





Rie Cramer ~ Grimm's Fairy Tales ~ 1927

Maid Maleen



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5 comments:

  1. Beautiful images... !!!
    Rie Cramer was such a talented artist.
    On of the best illustrators of fairy tales.

    I have linked to your page from my blog
    http://shabbyhearts.blogspot.no/
    Hope it is OK !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Katrine,

      I'm glad you enjoy them. Her work has drama and charm, and there is a wonderful "scene setting" depth to the composition.

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  2. Wonderful work. Hers and yours!

    Miriam

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous08:46

    I grew up with Rie Cramer's books and still have some of the originals as well as post cards of that time. She is unique in her era with such a personal touch Love her work and great to see her represented on the internet! Anneke Silver Queensland Australia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad you had the opportunity to grow up with her work. I was amazed when I "discovered" her on the internet archive. Since I posted these images, I've purchased a few of her books published in the 1920s that I haven't seen anywhere else, and at some point I will scan the images and post them here.

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