Enduring Children's Classics, and the Illustrators we love
The illustrators
Mirror, mirror on the wall.
Which version of Snow White, is fairest of them all?
In the original version of Snow White, published in 1812 by the Brother’s Grimm, it is Snow White’s mother who becomes jealous and attempts to kill her.
In 1857, this detail was altered to “stepmother” when the Grimm Brothers republished Snow White again amongst a collection called Children and Household Tales. However, this revised version still contained a few, rather grotesque elements, such as the Evil Queen’s death being brought on by dancing herself to death on red-hot iron shoes, or actually eating (or believing herself to be eating), Snow White’s liver and lungs on The Huntsman’s return.
Over the forty-five-year span between when it was first and last published by Brothers Grimm, Snow White would go through several revisions, by said brothers (so there are many “original” versions with different elements here and there).
In light of the above, I decided to do something a little different in this explore, and feature both original as well as adapted versions equally.
I hope you enjoy these views into illustrated versions of Snow White, as much as I did!
Heather@WaterBearReads
*Earliest artist currently published as a stand-alone
Franz Jüttner
1865 – 1926
It has been difficult to trace the exact time ‘Snow White’ was first published as a stand-alone, away from publications of Grimm’s collections, and even harder to trace the first time the stand-alone was translated into English! However, what I can offer you is this version by German painter and illustrator Franz Jüttner, which was published in a very early series of stand-alone books referred to as the ‘Scholz’ Künstler-Bilderbücher’.
Each of the separate books covered a different fairytale, and each were illustrated by a different artist. Number 6 is Sneewittchen (Snow White), illustrated by Franz Jüttner.
Beautifully adorned with Jüttner’s rich, velvety full color illustrations, along with black and white spot illustrations throughout.
I love this version, linked below, however I do wish it had a little more history or background on the illustrator, as very little is provided.
Translated by Margaret Raine Hunt
The Planet, 2013
(Originally illustrated in 1905. This version is a retelling, with the macabre parts of the tale replaced with the sanitized elements. However I left it here for its historical relevancy.)
Find It:
∞ Amazon
Wanda Gág
Minnesota-born author/illustrator Wanda Gág holds the distinction of being the illustrator of the oldest American picture book still in print: Millions of Cats (1928), within whose pages she pioneered the illustrated double-page spread.
Her version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, (which she translated as well as illustrated), puts a fresh “feel” on the tale. The Disney version of the film had recently been released, and Gág’s version here was somewhat of a reaction to the film, keeping the childlike qualities of the Disney film within her illustration, while remaining true to the original Grimm’s plot in her translation, a translation which is embellished here and there with her cheerful imagination and special touch.
Smithmark Publishers, 1990
(First published 1938)
Translated by Wanda Gág
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∞ Abebooks
Nancy Ekholm Burkert
Nancy Ekholm Burkert’s interpretation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a visual masterpiece that in 1973 gained her a Caldecott Honor runner up award. It is filled to the brim with interesting imagery; much of which is the juxtaposition between good and evil, realism and fantasy.
Look carefully through the bushes and trees as “Snow” escapes into the forest to see which animals and birds you can spot!
You may also find it interesting to note that her first work of illustration was Roald Dahl’s version of James and the Giant Peach.
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1972
Translated by Randall Jarrell
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Trina Schart Hyman
Beloved American illustrator, Trina Schart Hyman’s, work can be seen throughout the world of classic children’s literature.
Instrumental in the creation of the Cricket children’s magazine and was the publication’s first art director, her work is classy, cute, with both a modern and vintage feel.
I love details like the patterns on her shawl or the quilt that covers her while she first sleeps in the dwarf’s home. I also love the animals: “Snow” with her hawk, the evil queen with her kitten. This is a favorite!
Little, Brown and Company, 1974
Translated by Paul Heins
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Bernadette Watts
Bernadette Watts illustrations are domestic and cheerful and seem best read with a cozy cup of tea. Hailed as one of Europe’s most recognized and beloved fairy-tale artists, hers is a gentle, colorful, full immersion into the world of Snow White, with elements of the German roots from which the fairytale (mostly) comes. I have featured another of her books in my The Little Mermaid post.
NorthSouth Books, 2018 (Originally NordSud Verlag, 1988)
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Quentin Gréban
I fell in love with Belgium-based illustrator, Quentin Gréban’s artwork while exploring the many and varied illustrators of Pinocchio, and then came across his version of Peter Pan (French) during my illustrator explore of that title.
I find his artwork striking- beautiful and haunting with more than meets the eye, yet still great for children.
NorthSouth Books, 2009
Find It:
∞ Abebook
Noteworthy Retellings
Fritz Wegner
1924 – 2015
Translated and Adapted by Kathleen Lines
Austrian born illustrator Fritz Wegner’s watercolor and line drawings find special home in my heart, especially after reading up on his life journey and how he had to leave Vienna for London on his own (his family followed later) after being beaten for creating a mocking sketch of Adolf Hitler.
Pages alternate full color and one-color illustrations, and there is a “modern classic” feel to the artwork. Of all the versions I have explored, I like his Evil Queen the most.
Henry Z. Walck, 1973
Find It:
∞ Abebooks
Susan Jeffers
Retold by Freya Littledale
I love the imaginative detail characteristic of New Jersey born illustrator Susan Jeffers work, from springlike floral scenes to the ominous spider, moth and skeleton in the Evil Queen’s secret room (where she creates the poison for the apple), every scene feels gaze-worthy, yet at the same time, vaguely understated.
You might be familiar with her stunning adapted version of Black Beauty, or her well-known version of The Nutcracker.
Freya Littledale’s retelling stays very close to the original, with only the most gruesome notes of the original omitted or replaced. For example, the Evil Queen meets her death by choking out of jealousy.
Scholastic, 1980
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∞ Abebooks
Chihiro Iwasaki
1918 – 1974
Translated and Adapted by Anthea Bell
Japanese artist Chihiro Iwasaki has paired up with translator/adaptor Anthea Bell on this version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (notice this one is spelled dwarves) as well as Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid and The Red Shoes.
I love Iwasaki’s use of the color white. By bringing it forward using various frames of watercolor background, she successfully draws the eye to the action of the moment. Beautiful to look at, cleverly executed.
Picture Book Studio, 1985
Translated and Adapted by Anthea Bell
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∞ Abebooks
Angela Barrett
Retold by Josephine Poole
This retelling is a standout one for me.
Josephine Poole’s lavish retelling of the story of Snow White is imaginative and clever, while at the same time remaining so true to the Grimm’s version that only the very most gruesome details are altered to be more child friendly.
I especially love her take on the ending!
To all this come the remarkable illustrations; Angela Barrett’s style and mirroring technique is the perfect complement to this retelling. She creates a world both so like, and unlike, any other; one that is dark and eerie, yet also splattered with moments of joy and beauty. Love!
Alfred A. Knopf, 1991
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∞ Abebooks
Darcy May
Retold by Sue Kassirer
This wonderful retelling by Sue Kassirer covers all the elements of the original tale, even the evil stepmother’s death via burning shoes at the end, but tells it in a way which is more palatable for younger readers. Darcy May’s delicate illustrations in rich tones are also sensitive and complement the text, making this a favorite!
Random House, 1994 (Random House PICTUREBACK Series)
Find It:
∞ Abebooks
Charles Santore
In true “Charles Santore” fashion, this great illustrator once again “wows” the reader with his stunning artwork!
Bold colors and finite detail characterize and elevate his works, two of which I have previously mentioned: ‘The Wizard of Oz‘ and ‘The Little Mermaid‘.
Snow White is portrayed as a 7-year-old child throughout the story who only ages while sleeping in the glass coffin, then wakens as a beautiful young woman – a unique take on the tale which I think furthers its appeal to younger readers.
This beauty is similar to the original tale, the only other notable difference being that the evil queen’s shoes (that bring about her death at the end) are substituted by “magic shoes that won’t stop dancing”.
Sterling Publishing Co, 2010 (originally published 1996 by Park Lane Press)
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Belinda Downes
Retold by Joan Aiken
Embroidered pictures decorate delightful prose by Wolves of Willoughby Chase author, Joan Aiken, and I am completely in love with both the rich, layered writing and the incredible images stitched with carefully chosen threads and material. It borders on miraculous!
Aiken’s replies from the Evil Queen’s magic mirror are just wonderful! This is one of my top retellings!
DK Publishing, 2002
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∞ Abebooks
Anna C. Leplar
Retold by Ronne Randall
Icelandic-English illustrator, Anna C. Leplar’s, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is delicately illustrated in a soft, whimsical style. This retelling includes all elements from the original story, except the stepmother’s burning shoes at the end, which was replaced with her sudden death upon realizing Snow White was marrying a prince.
Parragon Books, 2005
Find It:
∞ Abebooks
Momo Takano
Retold by Martin West
Momo Takano’s eye-catching artwork is full, somewhat ambiguous, yet deeply satisfying. For example, why is the Evil Queen’s cap a fish tail? I do not know. But it is wonderful! I especially love the dwarfs with their different numbers and colors, why has no one thought to do that before! I read this one to my son and he loved it, although he can’t figure out the fish tail either!
I really enjoyed Martin West’s retelling, which does not forget about Snow White’s father (who, in the original story and every adaptation I have read thus far, does not die, but just ceases to be mentioned).
Michael Neugebauer, 2011
Find It:
∞ Abebooks
More Adapted Retellings, Readers and Graphic Novel Versions
In addition to the above retellings, here are several more that have caught my eye!
Snow White & The Seven Dwarves by Sarah Gibb
Sarah Gibb’s illustrates a beautiful line of fairytales, including a version of Beauty and the Beast that I featured in an “Illustrator Explore” of that same title. These are gorgeous! I will add this title above once I get a chance to photograph it.
HarperCollins Childrens Books, 2022
Find It:
∞ Amazon
Snow White & The Seven Dwarves by An Leysen
Snow White & The Seven Dwarves by John Patience
If you find the artwork familiar you may be thinking of John Patience’ illustrations in his beloved Fern Hollow series!
His retelling of Snow White is a gentle one which easily engages the reader.
*Apple Only, Queen’s death is by choking
Colour Library Books, 1988 (Once Upon a Storytime Series)
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∞ Abebooks
Snow White A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan
I really enjoyed this film noir – like version, set in pre-Depression era Manhattan, with Snow White as an heiress to a fortune and her evil stepmother as a successful yet attention-hungry showgirl. The “dwarves” are street boys and “the prince” a detective. Very cool!
*Apple only
Published 2016 by Candlewick Press
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Other versions of Snow White
Conclusion
The earliest illustrator that I have been able to find to have illustrated Grimm’s Fairytales was British illustrator George Cruikshank, who illustrated the second version ever to be published in English. However, although he illustrated several Grimm’s tales, he made no illustrations for Snow White.
After seeing how well an illustrated version of their tales were received, The Grimm brothers asked Ludwig Emil Grimm, another Grimm brother, to illustrate a German edition.
However, this post is not about the Grimm’s collection, but rather the standalone Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and neither of these illustrators seemed to have produced illustrations for Snow White, as far as I have been able to find.
After this there is a fog of early illustrators, who’s works lack either definitive publishing dates, or stand-alone versus collection differentiation (I believe at least one of these names may be from postcard illustrations or some such): Otto Kubel, Willy Planck, Alexander Zick and Carl Offterdinger are some names I have come across. I have placed slides of their work below.
The first definitive, standalone version of Snow White, that I have been able to find, and that is easily available for purchase today, is illustrated by Franz Jüttner (1905-listed above).
I leave you with the hope that you will check back again and again, as I will update this post whenever new information becomes known to me! Take care, and thank you for visiting this post!
Newsletter
I show a few Snow White's in this YOUTUBE VIDEO introduction, for those of you who are interested!
References:
Noel Daniel (Ed.) The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, Taschen
Walck Fairytales with Historical Notes – Snow White by Kathleen Lines
The Annotated Brothers Grimm by Maria Tatar
Various bits of information on featured illustrators found on their own websites, Wikipedia, or on flaps within the books they illustrated.