Elsa Beskow
Encyclopedia
Elsa Beskow (11 February 1874, Stockholm
– 30 June 1953) was a Swedish author and illustrator of children's books. Among her better known books are Tale of the Little Little Old Woman and Aunt Green, Aunt Brown and Aunt Lavender.
(then called Tekniska skolan, or the Technical school) in Stockholm.
She married former minister and social worker, doctor of theology Natanael Beskow
in 1897. Elsa Beskow met her future husband at Djursholms samskola
while serving was a teacher where he served as head master. From 1900 they lived in Villa Ekeliden in Djursholm
which had initially been built for the author Viktor Rydberg
. They had six sons, including the artist Bo Beskow (1906–1989) and geologist Gunnar Beskow (1901–1991).
Beskow became one of the most well known of all Swedish children's book artists. Many of her books became classics and are continually reprinted. Beskow also illustrated ABC books and songbooks for Swedish schools. Book pages are often framed by decorative framework of the Art Nouveau
style.
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
– 30 June 1953) was a Swedish author and illustrator of children's books. Among her better known books are Tale of the Little Little Old Woman and Aunt Green, Aunt Brown and Aunt Lavender.
Background
Her parents were businessman Bernt Maartman (1841–1889), whose family came from Bergen, Norway, and Augusta Fahlstedt (1850–1915). Beskow studied Art Education at Konstfack, University College of Arts, Crafts and DesignKonstfack
Konstfack or University College of Arts, Crafts and Design is a university college for higher education in the area of art, crafts and design in Stockholm, Sweden.- History :...
(then called Tekniska skolan, or the Technical school) in Stockholm.
She married former minister and social worker, doctor of theology Natanael Beskow
Natanael Beskow
Fredrik Natanael Beskow was a Swedish theologian and school headmaster. He was also active as a preacher, writer, artist, pacifist and social activist. Beskow published a number of collections of sermons. He also made substantial contributions as a hymn writer.Beskow was born in Hallingeberg ,...
in 1897. Elsa Beskow met her future husband at Djursholms samskola
Djursholms samskola
Djursholms Samskola is the traditional name of a middle school in Djursholm, Sweden. The official name of the school is Viktor Rydbergs Samskola.-History:...
while serving was a teacher where he served as head master. From 1900 they lived in Villa Ekeliden in Djursholm
Djursholm
Djursholm is one of four suburban districts in, and the seat of Danderyd Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden. Djursholm is included in the multi-municipal Stockholm urban area.-History:...
which had initially been built for the author Viktor Rydberg
Viktor Rydberg
Abraham Viktor Rydberg was a Swedish writer and a member of the Swedish Academy, 1877-1895...
. They had six sons, including the artist Bo Beskow (1906–1989) and geologist Gunnar Beskow (1901–1991).
Career
In 1894 Beskow started to contribute to the children's magazine Jultomten. Overall, she would publish some forty books with her own text and images. Beskow frequently combined reality with elements from the fairy tale world. Children meet elves or goblins, and farm animals talk with people. Central themes were the relationships between children and adults and children's independent initiative.Beskow became one of the most well known of all Swedish children's book artists. Many of her books became classics and are continually reprinted. Beskow also illustrated ABC books and songbooks for Swedish schools. Book pages are often framed by decorative framework of the Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
style.
Selected works
- Tale of the Little Little Old Woman, 1897
- Children from Solbacka, 1898
- Peter in Blueberry Land, 1901
- Olle's ski trip, 1907
- Children of the Forest, 1910
- Pelle’s New Suit, 1912
- Flower Festival in the Hill, 1914
- George's book, 1916
- Aunt Green, Aunt Brown and Aunt Lavender, 1918
- Little Lasse in the garden, 1920
- Baby Brother's sailing journey, 1921
- Bubble Muck, 1921
- Grandma's quilt, 1922
- Christopher's harvest time, 1923
- Aunt Brown’s Birthday, 1925
- Jan and all his friends, 1928
- Hat Cottage, 1930
- Grandma and-down Light, 1930
- Around the year, 1931
- The Sun Egg, 1932
- Woody, Hazel & Little Pip, 1939
- Talented Annika, 1941
- Uncle Blue's New Boat, 1942
- Peter and Lotta's Adventure, 1947
- Red bus, green car, 1952
Additional reading
- Hammar, Stina Elsa Beskow (1958)
- Håkansson, Gunvor Elsa Beskow och Astrid Lindgren (1967)'
- Sjögren, Margareta Elsa Beskow och hennes värld (1983)