Princess Tuvstarr sitting by the water: The Evocative Artwork of John Bauer
The artwork by Swedish artist John Bauer, titled “Princess Tuvstarr Gazing Down into the Dark Waters of the Forest Tarn,” is considered one of his most evocative pieces. It portrays Princess Tuvstarr, who longs to venture beyond her dream castle and experience the realities of life.
Bauer, known for his romantic Nordic style, depicts real life as dark and bleak, reminiscent of a dense forest that obscures sunlight. The monotone, adverse, and sterile portrayal of day and night reflects the Romantic painters’ portrayal of “le mal du siècle” or the pain of the century, much like their counterparts, the romantic poets.
As Princess Tuvstarr embarks on her journey through life, she gradually loses precious elements: her crown, her clothes, and her way back to the dream castle, symbolizing childhood and its memory. Yet, amidst this loss, beauty remains resilient. It illuminates the forefront scene, replacing the bleak colors with a beautiful sand-tone yellow. Like the silvery moon shimmering on the surface of the darkest waters, beauty persists.
According to the story, Princess Tuvstarr eventually loses her heart of gold, which falls into the woodland lake. Overwhelmed by her attachment to it, she sits by the water for eternity. In essence, when everything has been left behind and one has lost their footing, they can still find solace where their heart resides, like a shining candle against a backdrop of darkness.
Sadly, Bauer’s own journey into life was short-lived. At the age of 36, he, along with his wife and son, tragically drowned in a shipwreck on Lake Vättern in southern Sweden. Water became Bauer’s final destination, marking the end of his artistic voyage.
AI technology at the service of art 