Einar Norelius (1900–1985) - Rowing Figure in an Eerie Landscape, 1929

Einar Norelius (1900–1985) Sweden

Rowing Figure in an Eerie Landscape, 1929

watercolor and ink on paper
signed and dated E.NORELIUS 29
22 x 22 cm (8.7 x 8.7 in.)
31 x 31 cm (12.2 x 12.2 in.) (framed)

Essay:
Rowing Figure in an Eerie Landscape is a 1929 watercolor-and-ink illustration by Swedish artist Einar Norelius. Created for the 22nd issue of Bland tomtar och troll, the cherished annual fairy-tale collection published each Christmas since 1907. This artwork captures an eerie yet dreamlike moment: a figure rows across dark, still waters under the twisted branches of a stark, leafless tree. The delicate use of ink and watercolor evokes an atmosphere of quiet magic and suspense, drawing viewers into a world between fable and shadow.

About the Artist
Einar Norelius was born in 1900 in Falun, Sweden, into a middle-class family. Initially on a path to study shipbuilding in Stockholm, he soon turned to art instead, beginning his studies in 1923 under Carl Wilhelmson. The following year, after winning a national poster competition, he launched a successful career in illustration, designing book covers and film posters.

His lifelong connection to fairy-tale illustration began in 1927, when he was invited to contribute to Bland tomtar och troll. He would go on to illustrate this beloved series for an extraordinary 53 years, becoming one of its most iconic visual voices. Unlike the moody and mysterious trolls of his predecessor John Bauer, Norelius’s fairy-tale creatures are brimming with humor and vitality. His robust, joyful forms added a tactile energy to the stories, while still preserving the complexity and depth of the Nordic folk tradition.

Norelius also illustrated major collections such as Svenska folksagor (Swedish Folk Tales), and was the visual storyteller behind beloved Swedish children’s characters like Pelle Svanslös, Kalle Stropp, and Grodan Boll. In addition to his work as an artist, he championed artists’ rights in Sweden, serving as chairman of the Swedish Artists’ Association (KRO) and founding the organization Svenska Tecknare.

Rowing Figure in an Eerie Landscape beautifully reflects Norelius’s unique blend of whimsy and mystery. With quiet intensity and visual charm, this illustration transports viewers into a Nordic dreamscape shaped by folklore, humor, and timeless storytelling.