Bauer, John

John Albert Bauer (1882-1918) was a Swedish artist and illustrator. He became famous for his illustrations for the fairy tales in "Among Elves and Goblins" at the beginning of the 20th century. Bauer was born in Jönköping and moved to Stockholm at the age of sixteen to study art. Here he got his first jobs as an illustrator. At the Royal Academy of Liberal Arts, he met his future wife, Esther Ellqvist.

Early in his career, Bauer made a number of trips to Paris, but also to Lapland, Germany and Italy, which would forever mark his art. In 1907, he began illustrating for "Bland tomtar och troll" and was quickly considered one of the country's leading fairy tale illustrators. John Bauer painted mostly watercolors, but also in oil and frescoes. His illustrations have had a profound impact on Swedish folklore and storytelling. An influence that over 100 years after his death is tangible and constantly relevant.