Undine: A Water Spirit for Fouqué’s 1911 ‘Undine' #2

Arthur Rackham (1867–1939), an iconic illustrator of the Golden Age of Illustration—a period from roughly 1880 to 1920 that saw the rise of sumptuous gift books and opulent art editions thanks to innovations in color reproduction—brought to life the haunting story of Undine in his 1911 edition of Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué’s tale. The story follows a water spirit named Undine who marries the knight Sir Huldbrand to gain a human soul, with their love clouded by supernatural trials. Rackham’s art vividly captures the mystical and eerie atmosphere with intricate, shadowed imagery that blends natural motifs and fantasy, embodying a depth and complexity that contrasts sharply with the simplified, rounded, and mass-appeal styles often favored by today’s Disney illustrations.

Complementing this literary and visual magic, Maurice Ravel’s piano piece "Ondine" from "Gaspard de la Nuit" draws on the same legend, perfectly evoking the water spirit’s enchanting, fluid essence. Rackham’s volume, rich with tipped-in color plates and detailed drawings, stands as a luxurious artifact of its golden era and a lasting influence in fairy tale illustration.