John Bauer: Humpe in the Troll Forest (1913) | Art Poster

A small red-haired troll child sits beneath the immense trees of a silent Swedish forest. John Bauer’s Humpe in the Troll Forest from 1913 turns the woodland into a world of towering trunks, moss-covered stones and hidden lives.

Printed locally on heavyweight matte paper. Typical delivery time: 2–5 business days.

• Swedish fairy-tale artwork by John Bauer
• Painted and signed in 1913
• Humpe sits alone beneath towering forest trees
• Based on a story by Vilhälm Nordin
• Printed on 200 gsm matte quality paper
• Available in four sizes
• Frame not included

A small figure in an immense forest

Humpe appears near the bottom of the composition, seated against the curved roots of a tree. His bright red hair and rounded face form a warm point of colour within the subdued blue, grey and brown forest.

The trees rise far beyond the upper edge of the picture. Their straight trunks divide the scene into narrow passages, while stones and roots seem to merge with shadowy creatures deeper in the woods. Bauer makes Humpe appear vulnerable, yet perfectly at home in this strange landscape.

The troll child with eyes of sunlight

The motif is based on Vilhälm Nordin’s story Trollsonen som hade solögon och blev skogsman, published in the 1912 edition of Bland tomtar och troll. Humpe is the red-haired son of the gentle troll mother Humpa.

Unlike the other trolls, Humpe has large, clear eyes with sunlight in them. This allows him to leave the permanent darkness of the troll forest and enter the open world beyond it. Bauer painted this independent version of the subject in 1913.

“Live the bright life of day in the open forest and be loved by everything that belongs to the sun.”

John Bauer and the forests of Småland

John Bauer was born in Jönköping in 1882 and studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm. He became famous for his illustrations for Bland tomtar och troll, which shaped how generations of readers imagined the creatures of Swedish folklore.

The forests of Småland provided Bauer with forms, textures and atmosphere. Trees, boulders and roots often appear almost alive in his pictures. His trolls seem to have grown directly from the ground, while children and princesses bring light and colour into their dark surroundings.

Artwork details

Available sizes

A quiet doorway into the fairy-tale forest

The muted forest colours give the poster a calm, atmospheric character, while Humpe’s red hair adds a small spark of warmth. The motif works well in a bedroom, reading corner, nursery or living room with wood, wool and soft neutral colours.

Explore more work in our John Bauer collection and our wider collection of Swedish art.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Humpe?

Humpe is the red-haired son of the troll mother Humpa in Vilhälm Nordin’s fairy tale. His clear eyes contain sunlight, which sets him apart from the other trolls.

Is this an illustration from Bland tomtar och troll?

The subject comes from a story published in the 1912 edition of Bland tomtar och troll. Bauer created this signed, independent version in 1913.

What technique did John Bauer use?

The original was made with watercolour, gouache and pencil on canvas.

How large is the original artwork?

The original measures 45 × 45 cm.

What paper is the poster printed on?

The poster is printed on heavyweight 200 gsm quality paper with a smooth, matte and non-reflective surface.

Is a frame included?

No. The frame is not included, allowing you to choose one that suits the poster and your interior.