Romanian Fairy Tales

Late Romantic narrative illustrative art was highly popular in the second half of the 19th century, particularly amongst women artists, but its study has been neglected.

Our beautiful new collection of original fairy tale illustrations, set against the magnificent natural backdrop of the Carpathian Mountains, has immersed us in this world this week—a medieval world of myth and legend, of kings and queens, pilgrims and hermits. The drawings illustrate the folk stories of Carmen Sylva (1843–1916), first queen of Romania—an interesting writer, of noble German birth, who through her writing, supported her husband and acted as a protector and promoter of Romanian national heritage. She also encouraged local artisans, establishing workshops around the royal residence, Peleș Castle, and she became the patron of Higher Education for Women.