John Bauer: Poor Little Bear! (1912) | Art Poster

A tender Swedish fairy-tale poster showing a young princess greeting a mother bear in a mossy forest. John Bauer’s 1912 illustration combines childhood curiosity, Nordic nature and the quiet magic that defines his celebrated storybook art.

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

• Swedish fairy-tale illustration by John Bauer
• Created in 1912 for Helena Nyblom’s The Journey of Innocence
• A young princess meeting a bear and her cubs
• Watercolour, opaque white, ink and pencil
• Printed on 200 gsm matte quality paper
• Available in four sizes
• Frame not included

A gentle meeting in the forest

A little princess stands close to a large brown bear and kisses her on the nose. Two cubs wait nearby among the rocks and vegetation. The princess appears completely at ease, and the bear responds with the same quiet curiosity.

Bauer surrounds the figures with moss-covered stones, tree trunks and soft forest shadows. The princess’s pale dress and golden crown draw the eye, while the bears’ earthy colours connect them to the surrounding landscape.

The story of Princess Bella

The illustration was created for Helena Nyblom’s fairy tale Oskuldens vandring, published in the sixth volume of Bland tomtar och troll in 1912. The story follows a four-year-old princess with the shortened name Bella as she explores the deep forests beyond the royal palace.

During her journey, Bella enjoys a freedom that contrasts with her carefully controlled life at court. She meets several forest inhabitants, including a mother bear and two cubs. Bella offers the bear freshly picked raspberries, strokes her thick coat and affectionately calls her “poor little bear” before kissing her nose.

“Even under freer creative conditions, he seems to have related to nature as a world bordering on fairy tales.”

John Bauer at the height of his fairy-tale art

The 1912 and 1913 illustrations are often regarded as a high point in Bauer’s career. During this period, his colours became richer and his treatment of rocks, moss and woodland vegetation grew increasingly detailed.

Poor Little Bear! was exhibited at Konstnärshuset in Stockholm in 1913 under the descriptive title The Little Princess and the Bear. The original illustration was reproduced as a full-page colour image in the 1912 edition of Bland tomtar och troll.

About John Bauer

John Bauer was born in Jönköping in 1882. He became one of Sweden’s most influential illustrators through his work for Bland tomtar och troll, where princesses, trolls and other creatures inhabit forests inspired by the landscape of Småland.

His close study of trees, stones and plants gave his imaginary world a convincing natural foundation. Figures often seem to emerge from the forest itself, creating the distinctive meeting of observation and fantasy associated with his art.

Artwork details

Available sizes

A quiet fairy-tale atmosphere for the home

The warm browns, muted greens and pale central figure give the poster a gentle woodland mood. It works well in a children’s room, bedroom, reading corner or living room and pairs naturally with wood and other Nordic materials.

Explore more illustrations in our John Bauer collection and discover further works in our Swedish art collection.

Frequently asked questions

What does Poor Little Bear depict?

The illustration shows the young Princess Bella kissing a mother bear on the nose while two bear cubs wait nearby.

Which story was the illustration created for?

It was created for Helena Nyblom’s fairy tale Oskuldens vandring, published in Bland tomtar och troll in 1912.

What does the Swedish word “basse” mean?

In this title, “basse” is an affectionate traditional word for a bear. The title can therefore be translated as Poor Little Bear!

What technique did John Bauer use?

The original was executed in watercolour, opaque white, ink and pencil on paper.

What paper is the poster printed on?

The poster is printed on heavyweight 200 gsm quality paper with a matte, 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.