Sulamith Wülfing (1901–1989)

This book is one in a series of lovely books illustrated by Sulamith Wulfing. It measures just 4'X6" and contains 25 illustrations with accompanying quotes from famous writers such as Shakespeare, William Blake, John Milton, Robert Herrick, and the Bible. The excerpts don't always seem to go with the illustrations but the text is not the reason you would buy this book anyway. Sulamith Wulfing's intricate and delicate work in this book features many enchanting angels. Each one is unique and show more filled with a serene and peaceful quality. I feel that the price that is being asked for these books is a bit steep considering the small size of the books, the limited amount of text and the rather poor way the pictures were printed on the page. Most of them have uneven sized white showing at the top and bottom of the picture. However, the artwork is the purpose of the book and it does not disappoint in any way. It is divine and if you love Wulfing's work I suggest that you will truly love this little book of angels. show less

The title of this little book is somewhat misleading in that you might assume that it contains fairy tales. Actually, it contains 25 illustrations of fairy tales and on each facing page it has a very short stanza or two of some famous fairy poem or story. You will find Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, La Belle Dame sans Merci as well as two other poems about fairies. The book is a very thin little volume only 4" x 6", rather poorly laid out with many of the pictures showing show more uneven borders of white at top and bottom, while others have no borders and still others are printed sideways so that you have to turn the book to get a good look at them. The illustrations for "The Little Mermaid" section of this book are cropped from larger prints that accompany a much better book by Hans Christian Andersen and Wulfing entitled "The Little Mermaid." This book is rather too highly priced for the quality. Having shared my disappointments let me say that this book is still very much worth having if you enjoy the exquisite work of this enigmatic artist. This book features many prints of lovely otherwordly looking girls with beautiful and intricate knights in shining armour. Fabulous unearthly flowers grace the pictures in tangles of vines and branches, ribbons and knotwork. Flowing veils, robes, cloaks and tresses add softness and mystery to the work. The people seem to exude a soft light. If you are not familiar with Wulfing you may want to seek out a calendar or the larger books like "The Little Mermaid" or "Miracle of Tears" or perhaps one of her several oracle decks of cards. If you are a fan of Sulamith Wulfing then do not let any of my criticisms get in the way of enjoying the prints in this book. My complaints are about the book not the art or this incredible artist. show less

Incredibly beautiful artwork pared with quotations and excerpts from poetry that do not seem to have anything to do with the individual paintings. Magical and mystical in subject matter, the paintings feature children and magical beings, flowers, insects and animals. Unfortunately, this is a chintzy little book but we are fortunate to have Sulamith Wulfing's art in whatever format we can get.

Incredibly beautiful artwork pared with excerpts from various poems that do not seem to correspond to the paintings. It is unfortunately a chintzy little book.