He Didn’t Rest A Moment Until He Arrived At Dusk (1912 CE)

Han vilade icke ett ögonblick förrän han i skymningen nådde fram or in English: He didn’t rest a moment until he arrived at dusk is a watercolor illustration by John Bauer, created in 1912 for the sixth volume of Among gnomes and trolls. This evocative artwork depicts Prince Mino riding through a mystical forest under a starlit sky, capturing a moment of emotional intensity and introspection. Part of Ellen Lundberg-Nyblom’s story Vinga’s Garland, the illustration draws viewers into a world of Swedish folklore, blending realism with fantasy to evoke themes of guilt, redemption, and the sublime power of nature. 

The story behind the illustration revolves around Prince Mino, a young man facing a profound personal and moral crisis. After accusing and imprisoning his brother for deceit, Mino is overcome with remorse and sets out on a journey to confront him. The tale unfolds in an enchanted, mystical world where nature plays an active role, and Mino’s ride through a dark, starlit forest at night becomes a symbolic journey.

Created in 1912 during John Bauer’s most prolific period (1912–1915), this artwork was published in Among gnomes and trolls, an annual collection of Swedish fairy tales launched in 1907. The series aimed to captivate a broad audience, particularly children, with tales rooted in Swedish folklore. Bauer, born in Jönköping in 1882, was a leading illustrator of the time, whose work was deeply influenced by his studies at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm and travels to Lappland, Germany, and Italy. The illustration accompanies Vinga’s Garland by Ellen Lundberg-Nyblom, a story centered on Prince Mino’s remorseful journey after imprisoning his brother for deceit. 

A quote from Bauer in 1901 provides insight into his worldview, which resonates with the illustration’s themes: “I stood on a height. The ground lay dark around me, and above me arched the sky with its stars. I felt acutely how small I was, standing firmly on the shadowed side of the earth, grounded by the forces of gravity. I had the whole world above me.” This reflection, written in a letter to fellow artist Axel Kleimer, underscores Bauer’s fascination with nature’s vastness and mystery, elements vividly captured in the starlit sky and enchanted forest of the artwork. 

This artwork holds a significant place within the context of Swedish folklore and the Symbolist movement. Bauer’s illustrations played a pivotal role in shaping early 20th-century Swedish children’s literature, with the series achieving print runs of approximately 100,000 copies. The depiction of Prince Mino’s journey reflects Symbolist themes of inner turmoil, redemption, and the mystical interplay between humanity and nature. The starlit night and enchanted forest evoke a sense of transition—between light and darkness, hope and despair—rooted in Nordic mythology and the romanticized landscapes of Småland. Bauer’s work, influenced by the Italian Renaissance and Sami culture, blends romantic nationalism with a fantastical aesthetic.

The artwork is a watercolor painting measuring 25 x 25 cm (9.8 x 9.8 inches). Bauer’s use of watercolor allows for delicate gradients and luminous effects, particularly in the depiction of the starlit sky, which contrasts with the darker, denser tones of the forest. His style combines meticulous realism in the rendering of figures and landscapes with fantastical elements, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The square composition enhances the sense of balance and focus on Prince Mino’s solitary journey, while the interplay of light and shadow underscores the emotional weight of the narrative. The technical precision and imaginative flair reflect Bauer’s training and his ability to merge fine art with illustrative storytelling.

The painting’s provenance includes its sale at Nordén Auktioner on December 6–7, 1994, with an estimated value of 500,000–700,000 SEK and a hammer price of 680,000 SEK. While its current location is not publicly documented, its inclusion in Among gnomes and trolls ensures its historical significance within Swedish art collections.