No, What A Little Pipsqueak! Cried The Troll (1912 CE)

No, what a little pipsqueak!” cried the troll is a captivating illustration by John Bauer, created in 1912 for the Swedish anthology Among gnomes and trolls. This artwork vividly captures a dramatic moment from Alfred Smedberg’s fairy tale The boy who was never afraid, where the fearless boy Nisse confronts a towering troll in its cave. Rendered in Bauer’s signature Art Nouveau style, the piece blends earthy tones with intricate details, evoking both enchantment and tension. It invites viewers into the magical yet perilous world of Swedish folklore, showcasing Bauer’s mastery in bringing mythical narratives to life.

Created in 1912, this illustration is part of John Bauer’s celebrated contributions to Among gnomes and trolls, an annual Swedish publication from 1907 that compiled folktales and fairy tales. Bauer, born in 1882 in Jönköping, Sweden, drew inspiration from the local forests, Italian Renaissance art, and Sami culture, shaping his romantic and nationalist aesthetic. The artwork illustrates a scene from Alfred Smedberg’s tale, published in the 1912 edition. Smedberg, a prominent Swedish author, crafted stories rooted in folklore, emphasizing virtues like courage and kindness. This piece reflects the early 20th-century fascination with national identity and folklore, a movement Bauer helped define through his evocative imagery.

One intriguing aspect of Bauer’s process is his method of starting with tiny, postage-stamp-sized sketches before expanding them into detailed illustrations, a technique likely used for this piece. This meticulous approach allowed him to refine the expressive contrast between Nisse’s small stature and the troll’s imposing presence.The troll’s exclamation, “Nej, sicken liten puttefnasker!” (roughly, “What a tiny little creature!”), is a memorable line that has resonated with readers, often quoted for its whimsical yet menacing tone.

Bauer’s illustration is a cornerstone of Swedish cultural heritage, embodying the romantic nationalism of the era. The artwork’s depiction of Nisse’s bravery against the troll reflects universal themes of courage and good triumphing over evil. Its Art Nouveau style, with flowing lines and organic forms, aligns with early 20th-century European art trends while grounding itself in Scandinavian landscapes and myths. 

The illustration is executed in watercolor, Bauer’s preferred media. This allowed him to achieve delicate transparency and bold contrasts, evident in the troll’s textured fur and the cave’s earthy hues. Bauer’s process involved creating small preliminary sketches, gradually building up details to produce expressive, detailed compositions. While exact dimensions are not widely documented, similar works by Bauer are typically modest in size, suitable for book illustrations. The use of Art Nouveau-inspired lines and muted colors creates a dreamlike yet grounded atmosphere, enhancing the narrative’s emotional depth.

The original artwork is housed in the Jönköpings läns museum in Jönköping, Sweden, which holds the world’s largest collection of Bauer’s works, including over 1,000 paintings, drawings, and sketches.