Sulamith Wülfing

Sulamith Wülfing (January 11, 1901 – 1989) was a German artist and illustrator. The author Michael Folz explains that Wülfing's art was a "realistic reflection of the world she lives in: she has seen the angels and elfin creatures of her paintings throughout her life."

Life Born in Elberfeld, Rhine Province on January 11, 1901

Characteristic Wülfing paintings feature slender, fair-haired, fey young women and men, with large eyes and sad or thoughtful faces, wearing elaborately patterned gowns or robes, and sometimes veils, snoods, wreaths, or jeweled crowns. These maidens are placed in outdoor settings of twilight woods and moonlit meadows, or in castle-like interiors with vaguely Gothic detail (stone arches, stained glass windows, carved throne-like chairs). Some of the patterns on the clothing and furniture resemble Norse and Celtic knotwork.

Brambles and thorns, moths and butterflies, feathers, leaves, and delicately rendered flowers add organic richness, texture and complexity to the images. Many of the paintings have a "fairytale" feel, with grinning dwarves and gnomes, knights in armor, dragons, and the like. Some have a holiday focus, usually Christmas or Easter. Several appear to depict the Annunciation. A black and white series portrays the Stations of the Cross. In the more spiritually-themed images, radiant winged beings appear to give comfort or counsel to troubled humans. Several of the paintings touch upon the theme of pregnancy and motherhood, while others echo the experience of loneliness and separation, and still others are indicative of love and fulfillment.

Wulfing said this about her work: "My drawings are a visual representation of my deepest feelings—pleasure, fear, sorrow, happiness, humor. For me it is not a matter of creating illustrations to fit nursery rhyme themes. My ideas come to me from many sources, and in such harmony with my personal experiences that I can turn them into these fairy compositions. My Angels are my consolers, leaders, companions, guards. And dwarfs often show me the small ironies and other things to make me smile even in life's most awesome events."

While she was best known for her work in painting and illustration, she also did some work in collages and tapestry.

During the artist's lifetime, over 200 of her works were published in the form of postcards by the Sulamith Wülfing Verlag. A large-format book with forty color plates, The Fantastic Art of Sulamith Wulfing was edited by David Larkin.

Influence on other artists Wülfing's work, named Der Kristall (The Crystal), inspired the artwork for the LP Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (1971) by the British band The Moody Blues.

Singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks has credited Wülfing's art with providing the inspiration for many of her songs, as well as the cover of her 1983 album The Wild Heart. During Nicks's 2005 Gold Dust Tour, some of Wülfing's work was displayed on the concert video screen.

In 1973 Pete Sinfield, former lyricist of progressive rock band King Crimson, used the painting Big Friend on the front cover of his first solo album Still. The illustration reflects his interest in the balance between fragility and power, clarity and illusion.

In 1980, Japanese rock band Novela used one of pictures from her Mermaid for their first LP's cover art.

Artist & dollmaker Marina Bychkova credits Sulamith Wülfing as her source of inspiration. Another artist whose work has been compared to Wulfing's is Feeroozeh Golmohammadi.