John Bauer: The Princess and the Trolls (1913) | Art Poster

An enchanting Swedish art poster featuring a luminous princess surrounded by curious trolls in a shadowy forest. John Bauer's 1913 illustration brings Nordic folklore to life through delicate watercolour, towering trees and richly imagined creatures.

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

• Fairy-tale illustration by John Bauer
• Created in 1913 for Helena Nyblom's story The Changelings
• A glowing princess among trolls and ancient trees
• Classic Swedish Golden Age illustration
• Printed on 200 gsm matte quality paper
• Available in four sizes
• Frame not included

A princess deep in the troll forest

Princess Bianca Maria stands pale and luminous beneath the tall tree trunks. Around her, trolls peer from the darkness, their rounded bodies and earthy colours blending into moss, stones and roots. Bauer creates a world where the boundary between creature and landscape feels wonderfully uncertain.

The square composition draws the eye toward the princess while the surrounding forest closes in around her. Clearer colours and fine details in the foreground contrast with the muted shadows behind, giving the scene both depth and a quiet sense of danger.

An illustration for The Changelings

The image was made for Helena Nyblom's story Bortbytingarna, known in English as The Changelings, published in the 1913 edition of Bland tomtar och troll. In the tale, a troll father steals the infant princess Bianca Maria and leaves his own child in her place.

Both children grow up feeling that they do not belong. When they reach marriageable age, they flee and eventually return to their original homes. Bauer captures one of the story's most memorable encounters, where the refined princess appears startlingly bright within the trolls' dark woodland realm.

“One Midsummer Night, They Walked with Bianca Maria Deep Into the Woods.”

About John Bauer

John Bauer was born in Jönköping in 1882 and became one of Sweden's most influential illustrators. He is especially associated with Bland tomtar och troll, the annual collection of fairy tales for which he created forests populated by trolls, princesses, knights and mysterious creatures.

His art combines close observation of Swedish nature with a distinctive fantasy world. Gnarled roots, moss-covered boulders and towering spruces often shape the characters themselves, giving his illustrations their unmistakable atmosphere.

Artwork details

Available sizes

Nordic folklore for the home

The deep greens, muted browns and luminous central figure give this poster a magical yet calm presence. It suits a living room, bedroom, reading corner or children's room and works beautifully with wood, wool and neutral interiors.

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

Frequently asked questions

What does The Princess and the Trolls depict?

The illustration shows Princess Bianca Maria walking deep into the forest among trolls. It was created for Helena Nyblom's fairy tale The Changelings.

When was the artwork created?

John Bauer signed the watercolour in 1913, the same year it appeared in Bland tomtar och troll.

Where is the original artwork?

The original belongs to Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and is registered under inventory number NMB 363.

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, so you can choose one that suits the poster and your interior.