The Heinzelmännchen Pl.13
1912
Fritz Gareis Jr.'s 1912 illustration brings the legendary Cologne house gnomes, the Heinzelmännchen, to life in a delightfully chaotic midnight scene. A swarm of these little helpers, burdened by enormous sacks on their backs, scurries out of a doorway and tumbles over each other on the cobblestones. One gnome even sends a rabbit flying out of a window in the rush! It perfectly captures the folklore of these mischievous sprites who supposedly did the townspeople's work at night, depicted here with a wonderful sense of bustling energy and humor.
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