Swedish Tales

This edition includes eighteen ancient Swedish folk tales. They introduce adult and young readers to powerful sorcerers, beautiful princesses, talking animals, and skilled craftsmen. In these tales, justice always prevails, and there is an atmosphere of magic that helps the impossible come true. Two outstanding artists helped to visualize the characters of the tales, both honest and cunning, good-natured and ruthless: Erik Werensjö (1855–1938) and Carl Larsson (1853–1919).

The book contains eighteen ancient Swedish folk tales. They familiarize adult and young readers with powerful sorcerers and talking animals, omnipotent kings, and skilled peasants. In these tales, justice always prevails, and there is an atmosphere of magic that helps the impossible come true. The heroes of the collection's tales can be simple-hearted and treacherous, charming and fearsome; two masters of illustration helped to vividly represent them: Erik Werensjö (1855–1938) and Carl Larsson (1853–1919).

Erik Theodor Werensjö (1855–1938) was a Norwegian painter and graphic artist. Erik was the fourth son of the commandant of the fortress in Kongsvinger. At the local school, the boy first tried his hand at painting. The famous Norwegian artist Adolf Tidemand noticed Werensjö's talent and recommended that he enroll in an art college. There, Erik studied under prominent Norwegian masters of painting and sculpture. During his travels in Europe, the young man became acquainted with the French, German, and Italian artistic traditions. The illustrated collection of Norwegian tales published in 1879 brought him wide fame. He enjoyed book illustration, and later Werensjö continued to produce drawings for children's books. In 1880, disaster struck: Erik was paralyzed in his right arm. However, after a year of treatment, Werensjö was able to recover and return to drawing. The themes of his works, besides book illustrations, included portraits of Norwegian public figures, scenes from rural life, and landscapes.

Carl Olof Larsson (1853–1919) was a prominent Swedish artist. His childhood was spent in extreme poverty. The boy's father often vented his anger on his son, while his mother worked a lot. Carl grew up in a suffocating atmosphere and was a shy child. Everything changed when a teacher at a school for the poor noticed his exceptional drawing abilities. At the teacher's insistence, Larsson enrolled in the school of the Swedish Royal Academy of Arts. Over time, the shy boy transformed into a talented artist. He began illustrating magazines and newspapers, which allowed him to support his family financially. Larsson's collection of works included not only graphic illustrations but also large oil paintings, watercolors, and frescoes. The artist's cozy home, furnished with special attention, reflected the creative traits of its owner. The artist often captured this house and its inhabitants — his wife Karin and their eight children — in his watercolors. Later, they were published as a separate book, instantly gaining recognition among Larsson's fans.