#492 of 1001 · December 5, 2021

It’s been far too long since I’ve done a Fairy Tale Theme Week. The onset of the twelfth month of the year has me reflecting on the magical significance of the number twelve, which recurs in myriad tale types and motifs across the folklore canon. Take, for a prime example, the theme of this week’s exploration: The Twelve Dancing Princesses. This first version comes to us from @ruthsandersonart, whose oil paintings on canvas set the story in a medieval landscape of great splendor and beauty. She applies a deep formalism and keen eye for detail in her representation of period architecture, decor, and costume. A note for folklore enthusiasts: though this tale type has many variants occurring across cultures, the most famous version comes from the Brothers Grimm, who published it in Kinder- und Hausmärchen as “Die Zertanzten Schuhe” (“The Danced-Out Shoes”). In the source material, the main character is an old soldier who ultimately takes to wife the oldest princess. Sanderson’s hero, Michael, a good deal younger than in the Grimms’ tale, falls in love with the youngest princess. #dancing #princesses #mystery #magic #book #books #childrensbooks #beautifulbook #beautifulbooks #beautifulbookcover #beautifulbookcovers #picturebook #picturebooks #picturebookillustration #picturebookillustrations #picturebookart #childrensbookillustration #childrensliterature #illustration #kidlit #kidsbooks #bookworm #booklover #booklovers #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #instabook #instabooks