Artwork

Little Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty)

Little Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty), by Eugen Napoleon Neureuther, 1836
Little Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty), by Eugen Napoleon Neureuther, 1836

Little Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty) is a print by the Romanticist artist Eugen Napoleon Neureuther. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Little Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty) is a print by Eugen Napoleon Neureuther depicting the pivotal moment in the fairy tale where the prince awakens the sleeping beauty with a kiss, central to the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The work illustrates the climax of the Sleeping Beauty legend, where the prince's kiss breaks the enchantment, leading to a happy ending. This scene's focus reflects the narrative's emotional core.

Technique & Style

While specific technical details of the print are not provided, Neureuther's choice to center the composition on the prince and sleeping beauty's encounter suggests a focus on intimate, narrative-driven storytelling, characteristic of illustrations accompanying folktales.

History & Provenance

Created during 19th-century Germany's folktales revival, Neureuther's work drew directly from the Brothers Grimm's 1812 publication, Children’s and Household Tales, incorporating textual elements into some of his prints.

Context

The print's creation coincided with a peak in German interest in traditional folklore, as evidenced by the popularity of the Grimm brothers' collection, ensuring the tale's enduring presence in popular culture.

Legacy

By visually capturing a beloved tale's crucial moment, Neureuther's Little Briar Rose contributed to the lasting visibility of Sleeping Beauty in the cultural imagination, reflecting the broader impact of illustrated folktales on shared storytelling heritage.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.