Art, Sulamith Wulfing

 

Sulamith Wülfing

Sorry folks, due to problems with the site etc, didn’t have time to do the write up myself so just copied this;
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sulamith Wülfing (January 11, 1901 – 1989) was a German artist and illustrator. Her ethereal, enigmatic works depict fairy tales or mystical subjects.

As a child Sulamith had visions of angels, fairies, gnomes, and nature spirits. She first began drawing these creatures at the age of four. The visions continued throughout her life, and directly inspired her paintings.

Sulamith Wülfing graduated from the Art College in 1921, and in 1932 married Otto Schulze, a professor at the Art College. Together, they created the Sulamith Wülfing Verlag (publishing house).

 The mood of Wülfing's work ranges from serene to wistful to deeply melancholy. The subject is often mysterious, with narrative elements at whose meaning the observer can only guess -- exactly as the artist intended.

Characteristic Wülfing paintings feature slender, fair-haired, fey young women with large eyes and sad or thoughtful faces, wearing elaborately patterned gowns or robes, and sometimes veils, snoods, wreaths, or jewelled crowns.

These maidens are placed in outdoor settings of twilight woods and moonlit meadows, or in castle-like interiors with vaguely Gothic detail (stone arches, stained glass windows, carved throne like chairs).

Some of the patterns on the clothing and furniture resemble Celtic knotwork.

Brambles and thorns, moths and butterflies, feathers, leaves, and delicately rendered flowers add organic richness, texture and complexity to the images.

Many of the paintings have a "fairytale" feel, with grinning dwarves and gnomes, knights in armour, dragons, and the like. Some have a holiday focus, usually Christmas or Easter.

During the artist's lifetime, over 200 of her works were published in the form of postcards by the Sulamith Wülfing Verlag. A large-format book with forty colour plates, The Fantastic Art of Sulamith Wulfing was edited by David Larkin (who also edited Faeries by Brian Froud and Alan Lee). Published in 1977, the book is now out of print.

 During the 1980s, a series of limited edition commemorative plates featuring Wülfing's art were issued. Wülfing also created a series of illustrations for Hans Christian Andersen's story "The Little Mermaid."

The singer/songwriter Stevie Nicks has credited Sulamith Wülfing's art with providing the inspiration for many of her songs, as well as the cover of The Wild Heart (album), which was inspired by one of her paintings.

A concert video screen displayed Sulamith Wülfing art images during Stevie's 2005 Gold Dust tour.

In 1973 Pete Sinfield, former lyricist of progressive rock band King Crimson, used the painting Big Friend, on the front cover of his first solo album Still (album). The illustration reflects his interest in the balance between fragility and power, clarity and illusion.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBU5WyHR1eI

delete reply nemo4sun wrote on Jun 21, '09 how loverly i love the colors :)

delete reply acousticeagle wrote on Jun 20, '09 The inspiration for the artist to produce these works reminds me of William Blake. The one with the butterfly is stunning. It truly is amazing when an artist can paint images purely from imagination, and with such subtlety at that.

delete reply brendainmad wrote on Jun 20, '09 These are all fascinating. I can see some of them hanging on the wall of a child's room.

delete reply starfishred wrote on Jun 19, '09 she was really god no very very good thanks for sharing loretta

delete reply dianahopeless wrote on Jun 19, '09 She was a wonderful artist. Love these examples of her work. TY for sharing and the introduction to yet another artist Loretta.

delete reply veryfrank wrote on Jun 19, '09 These are amazing. I have seen the one with the butterfly several times before, but didn't know the name of the artist. I have a friend in Norwich, she will love these, I'll have to share them with her. Thank you.