Look at them, troll mother said. Look at my sons! You won’t find more beautiful trolls on this side of the moon (1915 CE)

John Bauer’s 1915 illustration titled Look at them, troll mother said. Look at my sons! You won’t find more beautiful trolls on this side of the moon captures a pivotal moment in Walter Stenström’s fairy tale Bortbytingarna (The Changelings). The artwork portrays a poignant scene where a princess, captured by trolls and forced to serve in their mountain lair, sits isolated and surrounded by her captors, conveying both the beauty and terror of the encounter.

This artwork was created by John Bauer in 1915 as part of his illustrations for Bland Tomtar och Troll (Among Pixies and Trolls), a widely cherished Swedish anthology of children’s stories. The story revolves around the old folklore motif of changelings: trolls stealing human children and leaving their own offspring in their place, with the abducted human princess now living as a servant among the trolls. Bauer’s work became integral to Swedish cultural heritage, immortalizing the story’s characters and the mystical world they inhabit.

A notable anecdote associated with this illustration is the emotional depth Bauer achieved in portraying the young princess. Despite being surrounded by terrifying trolls, she gazes outward with a tear on her cheek, her expression pleading for rescue. This evocative imagery has been reproduced countless times, making it one of Bauer’s most recognized works. The line spoken by the troll mother, marveling at her sons’ beauty, contrasts sharply with the princess’s delicate and sorrowful appearance, heightening the tension and emotional impact of the scene.

Bauer’s depiction of trolls as natural beings, blending seamlessly with the dark and foreboding forest, is emblematic of his ability to intertwine nature with myth. The trolls’ earthy, realistic forms contrast starkly with the idealized innocence of the princess, a representation of the “ideal child” of the early 20th century, symbolizing purity and naivety. The illustration plays a significant role in the broader context of Swedish folklore and fairy tales, where it represents the tension between the natural world and human innocence.

The artwork is a watercolor with gouache and ink on paper, measuring 26.5 x 28.5 cm. Bauer’s use of these materials allowed him to create a richly textured scene, where the darkness of the trolls and the forest contrasts vividly with the luminous figure of the princess. The technical execution highlights Bauer’s mastery in creating depth and atmosphere, immersing the viewer in the story’s mystical setting.