The Heinzelmännchen Pl.4
1912
Fritz Gareis Jr.'s 1912 illustration captures the magical moment from the famous Cologne legend of the Heinzelmännchen, or 'house goblins.' The German text at the top cheerfully announces that before the carpenter could even turn around, the entire house was magically built! We see a bewildered carpenter staring at a suddenly finished wooden balcony, surrounded by a crowd of amazed townsfolk and a barking dog. Created during the modernist era, this colorful scene perfectly illustrates the folklore of helpful sprites who did chores at night, a story that was incredibly popular in German children's books of the time.