And in the same moment, she was transformed into a beautiful little fairy with rosy cheeks, sky-blue eyes, and golden, flowing hair. (1907 CE)

The artwork titled De sju önskningarna – “Och i samma ögonblick var hon förvandlad till en underskön liten älva med rosiga kinder, himmelsblå ögon och guldgult, böljande hår.” or The seven wishes – “And in the same moment, she was transformed into a beautiful little fairy with rosy cheeks, sky-blue eyes, and golden, flowing hair.”  is a captivating illustration by the renowned Swedish artist John Bauer, created in 1907. This piece vividly captures a moment of magical transformation, where a frog is turned into a beautiful elf, a scene that evokes the wonder and mysticism characteristic of Bauer’s work. The illustration is rendered in ink and wash, watercolor heightened with white on paper, and measures 22.3 x 21.6 cm or 8 x 8.5 inches.

This illustration was created by John Bauer in 1907 as part of his contributions to Bland tomtar och troll, an annual anthology of Swedish fairy tales and folklore. The scene depicted is from Alfred Smedberg’s story De sju önskningarna (“The Seven Wishes”), which tells the tale of a young boy named Olle and his encounters with magical creatures. Bauer’s work during this period was pivotal in shaping the visual identity of Swedish folklore, with his illustrations becoming synonymous with the enchanting and mystical qualities of these stories.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this illustration is its depiction of the transformative moment in the story, where a frog saved by the simple-minded Olle reveals itself to be a beautiful elf. This scene is not only central to the narrative but also demonstrates Bauer’s skill in capturing the ethereal and the fantastical. The transformation from frog to elf, with “rosy cheeks, sky-blue eyes, and golden, flowing hair,” is rendered with such delicacy and precision that it almost seems to leap off the page, immersing the viewer in the magical world Bauer was so adept at portraying.

The illustration holds significant cultural and artistic importance, as it exemplifies the fusion of Nordic folklore with early 20th-century art. John Bauer is celebrated for his ability to bring fairy tales to life through his distinctive style, characterized by its intricate details, soft lines, and a dreamlike quality that perfectly complements the fantastical elements of the stories he illustrated. This piece, in particular, highlights Bauer’s contribution to the visual canon of Swedish folklore and his lasting influence on children’s literature and illustration.

The artwork measures 22.3 x 21.6 centimeters or 8 x 8.5 inches. It was created using ink and wash, with watercolor heightened with white on paper, a technique that allowed Bauer to achieve a luminous and ethereal effect. The soft colors and delicate lines are characteristic of Bauer’s style, and the use of white highlights adds depth and a sense of magic to the illustration, making the transformation scene particularly striking.

This illustration was initially published in the 1907 edition of Bland tomtar och troll, accompanying Alfred Smedberg’s story. Over the years, it has been preserved as part of John Bauer’s significant body of work, which is highly valued in the context of Swedish art and culture.