Cinderella does not wash plates
... from fairy tales and legends

The Artists' Museum Heikendorf-Kieler Förde is presenting an exhibition of illustrations of fairy tales and legends by renowned artists during the winter season, which is intended for children as well as adults. The focus is on a wide range of different wall plates from various countries. In addition, there are paintings with imaginative fairy tale motifs by the East Holstein painter Kay Konrad (born 1952). Graphics by other artists complete the diverse kaleidoscope of pictures, including printed works and micrographs.

Illustrations have always been a popular way to lighten up narratives visually and to stimulate the imagination. They are also always a mirror of their time, which also applies to the design of fairy tale plates. Therefore, they are of great value in terms of art and cultural history.

Especially in the second half of the 20th century, such ornaments were very popular among broad sections of the population, as evidenced by a large number of plate series that were designed as collectors' items. And even today, entire sets of children's tableware with fairy tale motifs are sold. The first regular and limited collector's plate from a porcelain manufactory was produced as early as the end of the 19th century. From the 1970s to the 1980s, the mass production of a wide variety of picture plates reached a peak. Numerous renowned and world-famous porcelain manufacturers, such as Meissen, Limoges-Turgot, Rörstrand, Rosenthal, Royal Copenhagen, Wedgwood and Villeroy & Boch, produced limited edition collector's plates in special series. The so-called annual plates were particularly popular. Motifs from the extensive spectrum of folk tales,
which are combined in the collections of various European, but also non-European countries, were depicted on plates as well as those from art fairy tales. Stories from the Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm can be mentioned here as well as tales from the Thousand and One Nights and other regionally or country-specific stories from all over the world.

In addition, fairy tales such as Von dem Fischer und syne fru by Philip Otto Runge (1777-1810) and the journey of Nils Holgerson by Selma Lagerlöf (1858-1940) were inspirational. And tales about the legendary King Arthur and his Round Table from Britain as well as from the Finnish Kalevala were also captured on plates.

Fairy-tale motifs rooted in the 19th century were taken up over a long period of time in the design of new plates, especially with regard to formal and stylistic elements. Nationally influenced elements can also be detected in the design of plates. A strong influence from the imagery of fairy tale films is also clearly visible in some series. Different production techniques are characteristic of certain groups of plates made of porcelain or earthenware, which are both multi-coloured and colourful as well as monochrome. The so-called blue painting is represented as well as a production process that is visually linked to palech or lacquer painting. Various series of plates are also enhanced by a fine gold plating and a limited number of firing days.

The fairytale plates on display offer a colourful spectrum of impressions. With these representative collector's items, valuable intangible cultural assets of international standing have been and are still being brought in a striking manner into the private sphere. The paintings by Kay Konrad and the other works on display also show how the world of fairy tales has had a thematic influence on the creative design of a wide variety of pictorial works.

"Once upon a time ..." - that's how many stories begin.
And the exhibits in the Heikendorf Artists' Museum also show how they continue. Have fun immersing yourself in the world of fairytale paintings.

Here you will find the dates of our events and guided tours.