The Goose Girl - limited print

12 x 18 print, museum quality archival paper and ink, limited printing - signed

The Goose Girl is a Germanic fairy tale found in the Brother's Grimm's anthologies. Once upon a time a widowed Queen had to send out her only daughter to be married to a neighbouring Prince. She pricked her finger and three drops of blood fell onto her kerchief and she told her daughter that this blood magic would keep her safe from harm. Once on the trail to her new life the Princess found that the maid that accompanied her to be cruel to her. Falada, the Princess' horse who had the magical ability to speak lamented this treatment often and loudly.

When stooping by the river to fill her cup the Princess lost her mother's kerchief of protection and the maid seized the opportunity and ordered the girl to swtich clothes with her. Now the Princess appeared as the servant and the maid as the Princess. The Princess was bound by a dark magic oath not to reveal her true identity.

Arriving at the new kingdom the false Princess ordered Falada to be slain (so that he would not reveal her treachery) and the true Princess was given the job of attending the castle's flock of geese. Before her poor companion was slain she was able to pay off the butcher to keep his head. It was mounted on the castle wall. Everyday as she passed by with her flock of geese she would lament to her friend of their sad new circumstances and he would commiserate with her.

There was a boy who attended the geese with her named Conrad. Conrad had noticed her great beauty and had begun to pester her, especially when she was out in the field and would brush her long golden hair. He would try to puck the shimmering strands from her hair. So the Goose Girl would summon the wind to her and knock Conrads hat away so that would leaver her alone.

Conrad complained to the King about how the new girl who tended the flock with him was strange and could summon the wind, and speaks to a horses head. Curious the King observed her one day and listened to the conversation she had with Falada.

"Falada, Falada, thou art dead, and all the joy in my life has fled", the girl said

"Alas, Alas, if your Queen mother knew, her loving heart would break in two." the Horse replied.

And thus it is discovered that the Goose Girl is in fact the True Princess. In some versions even faithful Falada is miraculously restored to life.

Original Painting - 18 x 24, acrylic and oil based coloured pencils
Shipped in a tube, tracked and insured.