In Focus: 200 years of the «Little Edition» of the «Children’s and Household Tales» by the Brothers Grimm
March 19th – July 13th 2025
The «Children’s and Household Tales» by the Brothers Grimm are among the most widely read books in the German language. They did not become really successful until the «Little Edition», which was first published 200 years ago by Georg Reimer in Berlin. 50 fairy tales from the collection were selected especially for children. Ludwig Emil Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s younger brother, contributed seven illustrations.
As the popularity of the Grimms’ fairy tales increased on a global scale, they also became a fascinating subject of book and illustration art based on the «Little Edition». This showcase exhibition presents a small cross-section of the history of Grimm illustrations – from Ludwig Emil Grimm to the present day. On display are European children’s and fairy tale picture books from three centuries, in which the world of Grimm’s fairy tales has been reimagined time and again through enchanting illustrations.
This showcase exhibition is part of the series «In Focus: rotating projects from the Stabi».
Image: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, «Marienkind», drawing by Heinrich Lefler & Joseph Urban, Mainz (Scholz), 1904.
With the legendary fairy tale «Marienkind» (Mary’s Child) by the Brothers Grimm, Heinrich Lefler (1863-1919) and his brother-in-law Joseph Urban (1872-1933) created one of the most famous artist’s picture books in the Viennese Art Nouveau style.
