Sulamith Wülfing
Encyclopedia
Sulamith Wülfing was a German
artist
and illustrator
. Her ethereal, enigmatic works depict fairy tales or mystical subjects.
, Rhine Province
to Theosophist parents Karl and Hedwig Wülfing, as a child Sulamith had visions of angels, fairies, gnomes, and nature spirits. She first began drawing these creatures at the age of four. The visions continued throughout her life, and directly inspired her paintings.
Sulamith Wülfing graduated from the Art College in Wuppertal
in 1921, and in 1932 married Otto Schulze, a professor at the Art College. Together, they created the Sulamith Wülfing Verlag (publishing house). During World War II
, the industrial area around Wuppertal
became a bombing target, and Wülfing's house was destroyed, along with many of her paintings.
Her family became separated during the war, when she received a false report of her husband's death on the Russian front and fled to France with her only child; they were later reunited. Wülfing considered the religious teacher Jiddu Krishnamurti
her spiritual mentor and guide, and believed his influence helped her through difficult times. Wülfing died in 1989 at the age of 88.
Characteristic Wülfing paintings feature slender, fair-haired, fey young women with large eyes and sad or thoughtful faces, wearing elaborately patterned gowns or robes, and sometimes veils, snoods, wreaths, or jewelled crowns. These maidens are placed in outdoor settings of twilight woods and moonlit meadows, or in castle-like interiors with vaguely Gothic detail (stone arches, stained glass windows, carved thronelike chairs). Some of the patterns on the clothing and furniture resemble Norse knotwork
Brambles and thorns, moths and butterflies, feathers, leaves, and delicately rendered flowers add organic richness, texture and complexity to the images. Many of the paintings have a "fairytale" feel, with grinning dwarves and gnomes, knights in armor, dragons, and the like. Some have a holiday focus, usually Christmas or Easter. In the more spiritually-themed images, radiant winged beings appear to give comfort or counsel to troubled humans. Several of the paintings touch upon the theme of pregnancy and motherhood, while others echo the experience of loneliness and separation, and still others are indicative of love and fulfillment.
and Alan Lee). Published in 1977, the book is now out of print. During the 1980s, a series of limited edition commemorative plates featuring Wülfing's art were issued. Wülfing also created a series of illustrations for Hans Christian Andersen
's story "The Little Mermaid."
Early examples of collections of her illustrations include Der Mond ist aufgegangen (The Moon Has Come Up) (1933); Christian Morgenstern (1934); Die Truhe (The Chest) (1935); Der Leuchter (The Shining) (1936); Die Schwelle (The Threshold) (1937); and Die Kleine Seejungfrau (The Little Mermaid)(1953).
The Larkin book, plates, and postcards are now collectors' items - as are the original publications. However, some items featuring her artwork are still in print: a boxed notecard set, oracle decks, a journal, a yearly calendar called Angel Spirits, and a few illustrated books including Nature Spirits and The Little Mermaid.
has credited Sulamith Wülfing's art with providing the inspiration for many of her songs, as well as the cover of The Wild Heart (album)
. A concert video screen displayed Sulamith Wülfing art images during Stevie's 2005 Gold Dust tour.
In 1973 Pete Sinfield, former lyricist of progressive rock band King Crimson, used the painting Big Friend on the front cover of his first solo album Still
. The illustration reflects his interest in the balance between fragility and power, clarity and illusion.
The style of artist Marja Lee Kruÿt (b. 1943) is similar to that of Sulamith Wülfing
The style of doll artist Marina Bychkova http://www.enchanteddoll.com/ is directly attributed by her to inspriation from Sulamith Wülfing.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
and illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
. Her ethereal, enigmatic works depict fairy tales or mystical subjects.
Life
Born in ElberfeldElberfeld
Elberfeld is a municipal subdivision of the German city of Wuppertal; it was an independent town until 1929.-History:The first official mentioning of the geographic area on the banks of today's Wupper River as "elverfelde" was in a document of 1161...
, Rhine Province
Rhine Province
The Rhine Province , also known as Rhenish Prussia or synonymous to the Rhineland , was the westernmost province of the Kingdom of Prussia and the Free State of Prussia, within the German Reich, from 1822-1946. It was created from the provinces of the Lower Rhine and Jülich-Cleves-Berg...
to Theosophist parents Karl and Hedwig Wülfing, as a child Sulamith had visions of angels, fairies, gnomes, and nature spirits. She first began drawing these creatures at the age of four. The visions continued throughout her life, and directly inspired her paintings.
Sulamith Wülfing graduated from the Art College in Wuppertal
Wuppertal
Wuppertal is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in and around the Wupper river valley, and is situated east of the city of Düsseldorf and south of the Ruhr area. With a population of approximately 350,000, it is the largest city in the Bergisches Land...
in 1921, and in 1932 married Otto Schulze, a professor at the Art College. Together, they created the Sulamith Wülfing Verlag (publishing house). During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the industrial area around Wuppertal
Wuppertal
Wuppertal is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in and around the Wupper river valley, and is situated east of the city of Düsseldorf and south of the Ruhr area. With a population of approximately 350,000, it is the largest city in the Bergisches Land...
became a bombing target, and Wülfing's house was destroyed, along with many of her paintings.
Her family became separated during the war, when she received a false report of her husband's death on the Russian front and fled to France with her only child; they were later reunited. Wülfing considered the religious teacher Jiddu Krishnamurti
Jiddu Krishnamurti
Jiddu Krishnamurti or J. Krishnamurti or , was a renowned writer and speaker on philosophical and spiritual subjects. His subject matter included: psychological revolution, the nature of the mind, meditation, human relationships, and bringing about positive change in society...
her spiritual mentor and guide, and believed his influence helped her through difficult times. Wülfing died in 1989 at the age of 88.
Art
The mood of Wülfing's work ranges from serene to wistful to deeply melancholy. The subject is often mysterious, with narrative elements at whose meaning the observer can only guess -- exactly as the artist intended. In her own words: "To people attuned to my compositions, they may well be mirrors of their own experiences. It is because of this that I have left the explanation of the drawings completely to the viewer, so that they are not bound by my interpretation of what each picture should be." [Larkin, 1977]Characteristic Wülfing paintings feature slender, fair-haired, fey young women with large eyes and sad or thoughtful faces, wearing elaborately patterned gowns or robes, and sometimes veils, snoods, wreaths, or jewelled crowns. These maidens are placed in outdoor settings of twilight woods and moonlit meadows, or in castle-like interiors with vaguely Gothic detail (stone arches, stained glass windows, carved thronelike chairs). Some of the patterns on the clothing and furniture resemble Norse knotwork
Brambles and thorns, moths and butterflies, feathers, leaves, and delicately rendered flowers add organic richness, texture and complexity to the images. Many of the paintings have a "fairytale" feel, with grinning dwarves and gnomes, knights in armor, dragons, and the like. Some have a holiday focus, usually Christmas or Easter. In the more spiritually-themed images, radiant winged beings appear to give comfort or counsel to troubled humans. Several of the paintings touch upon the theme of pregnancy and motherhood, while others echo the experience of loneliness and separation, and still others are indicative of love and fulfillment.
Publications
During the artist's lifetime, over 200 of her works were published in the form of postcards by the Sulamith Wülfing Verlag. A large-format book with forty color plates, The Fantastic Art of Sulamith Wulfing was edited by David Larkin (who also edited Faeries by Brian FroudBrian Froud
Brian Froud is an English fantasy illustrator. He lives and works in Devon with his wife, Wendy Froud, who is also a fantasy artist...
and Alan Lee). Published in 1977, the book is now out of print. During the 1980s, a series of limited edition commemorative plates featuring Wülfing's art were issued. Wülfing also created a series of illustrations for Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author, fairy tale writer, and poet noted for his children's stories. These include "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Snow Queen," "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Little Match Girl," and "The Ugly Duckling."...
's story "The Little Mermaid."
Early examples of collections of her illustrations include Der Mond ist aufgegangen (The Moon Has Come Up) (1933); Christian Morgenstern (1934); Die Truhe (The Chest) (1935); Der Leuchter (The Shining) (1936); Die Schwelle (The Threshold) (1937); and Die Kleine Seejungfrau (The Little Mermaid)(1953).
The Larkin book, plates, and postcards are now collectors' items - as are the original publications. However, some items featuring her artwork are still in print: a boxed notecard set, oracle decks, a journal, a yearly calendar called Angel Spirits, and a few illustrated books including Nature Spirits and The Little Mermaid.
Influence on Other Artists
The singer/songwriter Stevie NicksStevie Nicks
Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums...
has credited Sulamith Wülfing's art with providing the inspiration for many of her songs, as well as the cover of The Wild Heart (album)
The Wild Heart (album)
The Wild Heart is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter and Fleetwood Mac vocalist Stevie Nicks. Released on June 10, 1983, a year after Fleetwood Mac's successful #1 album, Mirage, it reached #5 on the U.S. Billboard 200 charts and achieved platinum status on September 12th, 1983...
. A concert video screen displayed Sulamith Wülfing art images during Stevie's 2005 Gold Dust tour.
In 1973 Pete Sinfield, former lyricist of progressive rock band King Crimson, used the painting Big Friend on the front cover of his first solo album Still
Still (Pete Sinfield album)
Still is the first solo album released in 1973 by Pete Sinfield, lyricist of progressive rock band King Crimson. At the time, Sinfield was involved with Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Greg Lake assisted with vocals, while King Crimson alumni provided other assistance.-Track listing:# "The Song of the...
. The illustration reflects his interest in the balance between fragility and power, clarity and illusion.
The style of artist Marja Lee Kruÿt (b. 1943) is similar to that of Sulamith Wülfing
The style of doll artist Marina Bychkova http://www.enchanteddoll.com/ is directly attributed by her to inspriation from Sulamith Wülfing.