Christmas Tales of Flanders

This time of year gives me the opportunity to combine two things that give me a great deal of pleasure: firstly Christmas is on the way and I have for many years collected Christmas Tree ornaments, decorating the tree, or should I say trees, with the delights gathered over what I must confess is becoming a lengthy life and is already occupying too many of my waking hours. And secondly, working as I do for Stella Books permits me to combine my love of the festive season with a delight in illustrated books.

I have chosen as an example a current stock item - Christmas Tales of Flanders. This profusely illustrated volume contains Fables and legendsfrom Flanders and Brabant, tales loved by children of all ages throughoutBelgium.

Many of the tales are found in different guises in the folklore of many nations. But here they are presented with a Flemish twist, taking the place of the more commonly told nursery rhymes we are familiar with in the UK.

The first relates the tale of a rich woman who turns a beggar away from her door at Christmas, who is then welcomed by her poor neighbour, who provides food and shelter freely given. She is of course rewarded for her actions, whilst the rich neighbour pays a price for her meanness of spirit, a tale retold with variations in most cultures.

Then the tale of Seppy presents a man who complains that he works hard in the fields while his wife idles her time away at home, so they decide to swap jobs for a day. After his catastrophic day looking after the house and the ensuing chaos, Seppy learns not to complain about others and realises he is not the only one who works hard.

There are tales to make you take care for what you wish, others showing how bad acts can rebound and repay with interest, all the tales using humour to demonstrate life's lessons to the young, and young at heart.

The tales themselves are delightfully enhanced by accompanying illustrations by Jean de Bosschere, a Belgian artist and writer (1878-1953) associated with the Golden Age of Illustration.

His influences included traditional Flemish Schools, in addition to the Art Nouveau and Jugendstil movements. Much of his artwork for book illustrations was dedicated to interpreting classic and modern fairy tales, myths and legends.

Jean de Bosschere indulged a variety of artistic interests throughout his life, contributing as an author, graphic artist and book illustrator (many of his illustrated books were published as limited editions).

Stylistically, comparisons with Harry Clarke or Willy Pogany are reasonable. Similarly, those familiar with the work of Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel the Elder may be reminded of those greatRenaissance artists when considering his earlier illustrations for fairy tales, myths and legends - and that from his later career may be reminiscent of the genius of Aubrey Beardsley. Undoubtedly, however, the work of Jean de Bosschere - like that of other great illustrators - is unique.

This book contains stories, including: 'The Rich Woman and the Poor Woman'; 'The Story of Seppy'; 'The Enchanted Apple-Tree'; 'The Convent Free From Care'; 'The Witches' Cellar'; 'The Boy Who Always Said The Wrong Thing'; 'Hop-O'-My-Thumb'; 'The Emperor's Parrot'; 'The Little Blacksmith Verholen'; 'Balten and the Wolf'; 'The Mermaid'; 'The Story of the Little Half-Cock'; 'The Dwarf and the Blacksmith'; 'Percy the Wizard, Nicknamed Snail'; 'Simple John'; 'The Two Chickens or the Two Ears'; 'The Wonderful Fish'; 'The Frying-Pan'; 'Farmer Broom, Farmer Leaves, and Farmer Iron'; 'Little Lodewyk and Annie the Witch'; 'The Giant of the Causeway'; 'The Key-Flower'; and 'The Ogre'.

The suite of illustrations prepared by Jean de Bosschere for "Christmas Tales of Flanders" (1917) includes 12 lovely colour illustrations, more than 120 monotone and two colour images (ranging in size from full-page to vignettes).

Contributed by Martyn

(Published 8th Dec 2014)