From Ireland this Christmas came Fairies, a book of 12 art reproductions of famous illustrations of these diminutive, magical beings. This big, beautiful book provided a visual feast on this special day.

Since she as three, my daughter has enjoyed being a flower fairy, making homes for them in the woods, and reading about them. To her already vast store of knowledge this wonderful book added the following.

The Artists
1. The Victorian Era was the heyday of flower fairy art.

2. The public's interest in fairies coincided with a growing interest in the occult and spiritualism.

3. Artists of the time were also looking for a change in theme from classical and biblical subjects.

4. Though painting nudes was taboo during the Victorian era, artists such as John Simmons got around this dilemma by painting fairies.

5. Artists during this time paid close attention to detail, being sure to depict plant and insect life accurately.

6. The beauty of the fairies can entice humans into their world, from which there is no escape. (more)