Arthur Rackham and German Romanticism Part 1: Undine

Arthur Rackham was an early 20th century illustrator well known for his drawings of Arthurian legends and classic fairy tale stories like Peter Pan.

He also play a pivotal role in the conceptualisation and importation of German Romanticism into the English Speaking world.

His interpretations of classics like Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué’s 1811 “Undine” and the 1876 Wagnerian Opera epic “Der Ring des Nibelungen” excite the imagination.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909) Chapter XIX

His works are not meant to stand alone but complement a story, facilitate the development of a narrative and guide the readers perception of mythical tales.

His style of ink on paper drawing manages to capture female beauty in a variety of emotions while never compromising a sense of unique feminine gentle softness. Most of his work also incorporate watercolours, which add a great deal of vibrant life to the scenes.

The flowing pen strokes bestow both a type of elegance and movement in clouds, hair and rivers. This method can be best seen in how he captures a noble pure form of female beauty, drawing mythical characters such as Undine and Freia.

Arthur Rackham “Irish Fairy Tales” (1920)- “The Birth of Bran” pg. 93

He also worked with James Stephens to publish a collection of Irish Fairy tales in 1920 and a collection of drawings based on the Brothers Grimm stories the same year.

This shows a commitment to cultural interest despite the political turmoil of the day, both Ireland and Germany recently at war with the United Kingdom.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909) - Chapter 5 in page image pg. 35

Undine is a work that features christian and medieval imagery throughout. Written by a former Prussian army officer after serving the napoleonic wars, the text harks back to a more noble time of knight, armour and swords.

The following summary of Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué’s 1811 tale “Undine” is accompanied by Arthur Rackham’s 1909 artwork.

Sir Huldbrand of Ringstetten, a knight, who had a castle near the source of the Danube, was passing through a remote dark forest and was invited into a Fishermans lakeside home.

They exchange pleasantries in a style that de la Motte Fouqué describes as expected of a knight’s “good christian manners”. Overtime the fisherman asks of the knights’ adventures when suddenly we are introduced to the mythical figure of Undine.

She is presented by the fisherman’s wife as their well-meaning childish eighteen year old foster daughter. She explains that her numerous follies make her a hindrance rather than an aid around the house and at times brings them close to ruin.

Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué, “Undine”, 1851 print edition.

The knight is known throughout the land. The original German edition describes him thus;

“Grüß' sittig jeden edlen Herrn, Doch grüß' vor allen mit Vertrauen die lieben, schönen deutschen Frauen; ich weiß, die haben Dich recht gern.

Und fragt dann eine wohl nach mir, so spricht: ,,er ist ein treuer Ritter, und dienst den Frau'n mit Schwert und Gitter, bei Tanz und Mahl, fest und Turnier”

This introductory “zueignung” (dedication) was removed from the 1909 translation by William Leonard Courtney. However it could be translated thus;

“Every noble gentleman give greetings to you, but greet with confidence do the sweet, beautiful German women, I know they are very fond of you.

And if one of them should ask me, I shall say: ´He is a faithful knight, who serves women with sword and lance, at dances and feasts, festivals and tournaments´”.

It is in this context that upon entering the room, Undine makes flirtatious approaches towards Sir Huldbrand only to be rebuked by the fisherman's wife. The knight is pressed by Undine to explain how he came by their small cabin, which laid so far from any path and was surrounded by dense forest and lakes.

The father again rebukes her curiosity and she storms out in anger. The fisherman and knight pursue her for a short distance before returning unsuccessful to the cottage. They continue their conversation over a bottle of wine.

He then explained the tragedy of how one day his own child had died as an infant, drowning in the local steam. Then almost out of nowhere, an older child had appeared at their doorstep, hair as golden as the sand and eyes as blue as the summer sky. Moved with compassion for the little helpless girl and still suffering the grief of their own infant, they took in the lost orphaned child in as their own.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909) - “The Infancy of Undine”

When they asked the child from where she came, the answer they received lacked coherence. She spoke of crystal dome and golden castles. She said that her name was Undine but could remember no more. The fisherman then went to the closest town to seek out a priest to baptise the child.

While explaining the story of her baptism, the fisherman was alerted by the sound of a sudden violent storm. Together with the knight, he ran out in search of the disgruntled Undine with renewed urgency.

He ran into the storm, waded through what had been a stream and was now transformed into a violent river. On the other side he found the smiling Undine.

This drama soon manifests itself with Undine asking the Knight to run off together in the night. The fisherman across the stream, unable to see the knight, called out into the dark. The knight seeking to be a man of his word, called back, reassuring the fisherman of the his solely pure intentions towards his foster daughter.

Rackham manages to capture the movement of water and wind amazingly well with the ink-stroke and watercolour combination. In the case of the storm it added to the readers appreciation for the sense of urgency and dramatic buildup.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909) - “He saw by the moonlight momentarily unveiled, a litte island encircles by a flood; and there under the branches of the overloading three was Undine”

While across the river and under a tree Undine convinced the knight to stay there a short while. She then threw her arms around the armoured knight and sang him a mysterious song of adventure.

The conflicted knight wishing to stick to his high chivalrous principles pleas with Undine to consider the plight of her foster-father.

He then carried her in his arms across the stream and back to the Fishermans cottage to her foster-parents.

The next morning all four ate breakfast under the trees by the lake. Undine once more asked to hear of the knights stories of adventures.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909) - “The Knight took the beautiful girl in his arms and bore her over the narrow space where the stream had divided her little island from the shore”

This time without objection form the fisherman or his wife, he recounted the story of how we had been coming from a tournament in which we had been fixated by the beauty of the local Duke’s daughter “Bertalda”.

Having had danced with her that week, the knight asked Bertalda for her glove as a reminder of her. She agreed on condition that he explore the nearby dark forest.

Forests have deep cultural significance in the germanic world and feature regularly in 19th century romanticised folktales. They are places of mystery and personal growth, where one goes to encounter the unknown and overcome it.

Upon entering the forest the day before, the knight thought that navigating the forest and reporting back to the dukes’s daughter would be a rather easy task. Soon however he found himself lost in the dense trees and unable to locate the position where he had originally entered.

While seeking the sun he looked up and in an oak tree (the national tree of Germany) he spotted a dark figure. A small imp-like creature jumped in front of his horse and demanded “drink-money”. Not wanting to be held up for too long, the knight agreed and tossed him some coins.

Not happy the ugly creature pursued the knight claiming to somehow be cheated. In folktales moral virtuosity and beauty are often seen as linked. The ugly small sneaky creature stands in contrast to the virtuous young handsome knight.

The imp is then joined by his comrades who, led by a mysterious white figure, attempt to surround the knight and jeer abuse at him.

They all cried out that they had been mistreated by the knights injustice. Sensing the danger of an organised trap, the knight galloped away from the assembling mob.

His escape had brought the knight to the fisherman’s cabin. He explained how he was eager to be pointed in the direction of the city so that he might find the Duke’s daughter and explain the adventure.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909)- Chapter XVII “Knight Huldband is Married”

Undine then explain that she could not allow this to happen. She warned him that the stream was still no hazardous to cross and that he should rather stay with them a little longer.

The stream was slowing getting stronger and not weaker. The knight realised that he could be there for quite some time longer. He went about hunting with his bow so as to provide for the family’s dinner that evening.

Upon returning to the cabin, he would often bring with him a nice catch of birds and small game. One day Undine would express her displeasure at his willingness to kill wildlife so readily, and the next day she would express her displeasure that he had not caught enough.

Over time he grew accustomed to living on the small former peninsular, cut off from the mainland by a powerful river. He started to consider the place his home and the two foster parents accepted him as a fair match for their foster daughter.

After a while the fisherman had depleted his stockpile of wine. They then made arrangement to travel to the nearby city to resupply their inventory. Then as if out of nowhere another storm appeared.

Undine then said that she had conveniently seen a chest close by that perhaps contained wine. Partly out of curiosity, partly out of disbelief the knight and the fisherman followed her down to the bank of the river.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909) - “When the storm threatened to burst on their heads, she uttered a laughing reproof to the clouds. Come, come, saith she, look to it that you wet us not”

The storm continued to approach the wine-seeking party, when Undine called out to the storm telling it that it better not get them wet. The men thinking it was a further sign of her childlike immaturity dismissed her silly behaviour and focused on the thought of securing some more wine to merry their mood.

Like Undine had promised, there was indeed a chest of wine to be found. It was of a particularly hight quality too. Yet rather than rejoice, Sir Huldbrand lamented the poor misfortune that had likely befell this wines original owner. Undine however said that he need not worry about such things.

The noble knight persisted and declared that he would go into the city and seek out the relatives of the lost merchantman and repay them two fold the cost of the wine. The fisherman approved of Sir Huldbrand’s honour.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909)- “chapter 10 cover image”

Undine however questioned him displeasingly. She mentioned the danger in any possible attempt to do so, that it mattered not where the wine came from and asked him if he would not rather stay with her than leave. The fisherman and his wife, shocked at Undine’s lack of charity, ask her if she was brought up by “Turks and heathens” and not Christians.

That night amid the raging storm, all four were sitting comfortably by the fireside of the cabin when they heard a loud knocking on the door.

The knight, (as knights tend to do), made for his sword. The fisherman stopped him, ominously telling him that if it were in fact what he thought to was, then no sword would be able to help him.

It was at this moment that Undine called out aloud, “Spirits of the earth, if your wish to continue in your mischief, then Kühleborn will teach you a lesson”. No-one knew what she meant by these words. Before anyone could ask, a voice outside replied that he was no spirit of the earth and if they feared God, they should open the door.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909) Swans - Chapter XVII

They did so promptly and found a priest there in the doorway. They invited him inside. Taking off his dripping wet cloak they offered him a seat and something to eat. The priest explained how he was enroute to see his Bishop to explain how his monastery and local village had been consumed in the recent flooding. Underestimating the intensity of the storm he had sought refuge in the cabin.

That night while the priest was recounting how in his old age he had never seen such a powerful persistent storm. Then Sir Huldbrand, taking the advantage of having a priest in their presence, asked the newcomer to marry him and Undine.

The fisherman and his wife approved. To the surprise of all, Undine then produced two rings from her chambers.

After the priest had married them he asked about the identity of the white figure standing outside the window. Sir Huldbrand fearing it was the same white figure that he encountered at the ambush upon first entering the forest, leaped up and ran to the window, but saw nothing.

The day as the priest was giving spiritual advice to the couple, he spoke of the importance of protecting one’s soul. At this Undine asked were it not better if one did’t have a soul.

The others gasped with horror at the thought of such a question. Undine, upset at the situation she had caused, burst into tears. The knight perplexed and concerned went to ask her what she meant by her words. But captured by her “"graceful beauty” forgot his questions as she ran her soft hand along his face.

Early the next morning, Sir Huldbrand was awoken by nightmares. His questions, having found no meaningful answers, recked havoc in his mind. He went to the fireside to find the old fisherman and his wife already awoken and preparing breakfast.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909) - Chapter 4 in page image

After eating breakfast, the priest explained that he had to leave them to continue his journey. Before he departing he gave the newly-wed couple a blessing. Undine in turn apologised for her remarks the previous evening. She said that the comments were no longer relevant and urged the priest to pray from her soul.

The priest in turn said to Sir Huldbrand: “The goodness of heaven good sir, has entrusted a treasure to you yesterday, through me, as unworthy as I am, treasure it as you ought and it will promote temporal and eternal welfare”.

Undine and the knight then offered to guide the priest to the river where once the peninsula and the mainland had been connected. The river was once more but only a gentle stream. Undine explained that they could cross over with no need to worry.

They made to cross. Undine stopped. She asked Sir Huldbrand to carry her across the stream in his arms. Undine then explained to Sir Huldbrand that there existed mysterious creatures under the lake. Unparalleled in beauty, they are called the Undine.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909) - Chapter 3 cover image

Undine have power over the elements, and are physically indistinguishable to humans, but upon death had no hope of eternal life, instead returning to those elements that they had once controlled. She went on, explain how her father was a powerful sea-prince in the Mediterranean. He had sent her up the Danube (under the domain of his brother, Undine’s uncle) in search of acquiring true love and with it a soul.

Before she could say any more, the knight embraced his wife and kissed her, declaring his loyalty to her till the day he dies and how he was the luckiest man in the world. All three, (the priest, Undine and the knight) continued on their journey to the Imperial city to see the bishop and locate the owner of the recently discovered wine.

Undine rode on the knights steed, the knight and priest on either side of her on foot. Soon however, they were joined by a fourth traveller. A hooded man dressed in white garb.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909)- “Little niece,” said Kühleborn, “forget not that I am with thee as a guide”

The white figure and the priest introduced themselves to each other, the priest thinking that perhaps they belong to the same religious order. The white figure asked the priest his name. The knight and Undine were embarrassed that they didn't already know it themselves.

The preist explained that he was Fr. Heilmann of the monastery of Our Lady, located on the other side of the lake.

The as of yet unknown figure introduced himself as Free-Lord (Freiherr) Kühleborn. He then went to whisper something into the ear of Undine. She turned her head, saying that she did not want to speak to him.

He reminded her of how he, her uncle, had done so much for her. Undine however persisted and asked that he not startle her newly-wed husband. He in turn reminded her again of all that he had done for her, redirecting the knight and then the priest towards the fisherman’s cabin.

Fr. Heilmann and the knight walked on slightly in front of them not noticing the conversation behind them. Then suddenly Undine called out for aid, the brave knight rushed forward with his sword but Kühleborn merely turned into a river, whispering the words; “rash knight, brave knight, rage I feel not, chid I will not, but ever guard thy little wife as well, brave knight, rash knight, guard her well.”

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909) - Chapter 12 cover image

Kühleborn disappeared and the travelling party, now only totalling three again, made their way to the edge of the dark forest and upon existing they glimpse the spectacular Imperial City. The sun greeted them, drying their clothes and casting a beautiful reflection on the pointed towers within the city.

The knight was well know in the city and was immediately recognised upon entering the town. Many were amazed to see him after so long a time. Many had thought that he had perished in the recent storm.

There was further amazement to see him with Undine. Many speculated how the two had come to marry when last they knew, Sir Huldbrand was attempting to win the favour of the Dukes daughter. Bertalda thought that she knew Undines face from somewhere before.

De la Motte Fouqué describes a walk that the newly wed couple and the dukes daughter Bertalda shared in the majestic main square of the Imperial city. He describes impressive fountains, children at play and the simple business of everyday life.

A figure appeared, greeted Sir Huldbrand, Undine and Bertulda. He whispered something into the ear of Undine, the others were puzzled but Undine herself was delighted at what she heard. Before the other two could inquire as to the identity of the stranger, he walked away and they lost sight of him as he was walking by one of the fountains.

Soon afterwards on the passion of Bertulda’s namely there was a large feast hosted by her parents the Duke and Duchess. It was a grand spectacle attracting onlookers from the entire city. At the banquet Undine was called upon to sing a song. She sung the most elegant ballad of how two young girls were lost in a river as infants, one a princess raised as a pauper, and another a pauper raised as a princess.

The Duke overcome with tears, admitted with sadness that the story was indeed true, that Bertulda was the genuine daughter of the fisherman and his wife, lost to the lake many years prior, and not in fact the daughter of the Duke and Duchess. To add weight to the claim, the Fishermans wife said that Bertulda had a mark on her back which only her mother would recognise.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909) - “She hath a mark, like a violet, between her shoulders, and another like it on the instep of her left foot”

Gasps of horror filled the banquet hall. Bertulda rejected the allegation and refused to undress and reveal the mark as demanded by Undine.

Its as then agreed that the Duchess and Fisherman’s wife would go into an adjoining room with Bertulda to confirm the outlandish claim.

When all three returned to the nervously awaiting onlookers it was clear from their expressions that the claims were indeed true, the Duchess revealing to their ears, what their eyes had already seen.

Bertulda bust into a mighty rage and Undine convinced Sir Huldbrand that it was time to take their leave. The next day they departed from the city only to find Bertulda along the path, dressed not in one of her fine elegant dresses but the humble garb of a commoner.

Sir Huldbrand inquired as to what had happened. She then proceeded to explain that the Duke and Duchess in their grief and shock had cut Bertulda off from her inheritance and as punishment for her outburst of rage they had exiled her from the Imperil city

Furthermore after insulting the lowly rank off the fisherman and his wife she was not welcome there either. She first had to prove that she had in fact changed and learnt humility. To do this not to travel through the dark forest and find the Fishermans lakeside cabin.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909) - Bertalda

Bertulda and Undine both then began to cry and embrace one another. Undine suggested that Bertulda travel to castle Ringstetten with them.

Over the journey the two ladies became close friends. When they arrived a Ringstetten, Undine revealed the truth about her own origins and how she had acquired a soul marrying Sir Huldbrand.

Over the following months, Bertudla and Sir Huldbrand grow closer and closer. Both Undine and Bertulda would speak ill of one another when alone in the presence of the knight. He was urged to see Undine as unnatural.

The white mysterious figure would occasionally be seen by the river at the base of the castle, which flowed through the town. Over time he could be seen within the castle walls next to the well that provide water for the castles inhabitants.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909) - “Bertalda in the Black Valley”

Undine brought her concerns to the knight who agreed to have the well covered over with a large stone boulder. Bertulda in anger over losing access to the purifying water that she used to maintain her beauty, felt undesired by Sir Huldbrand and resolved to return to the black forest Valley, to the Fishermans cabin, her true father’s home.

Fearing for her safety the nobel knight followed in pursuit. During this pursuit he encounters Kühleborn in the forest who appears and disappears intermittently. His appearance coincides with a violent storm.

Just a Sir Huldbrand spots Bertulda in amongst the dark trees, Kühleborn appeared once more and made ready to attack her. Bertulda cried out for help, exclaiming her sorrow for not trusting him earlier. The knight was disarmed by Kühleborn and the situation seemed dire.

Then, to the shock of all, Undine appeared and tells the nefarious mystical figure to leave them at once. Still puzzled, the knight thanked his wife and all three returned to Ringstteten.

Arthur Rackham "Undine" (1909)- “Soon she was lost to sight in the Danube”

The knight and wife returned to their harmonious ways in Ringstteten, and Bertulda was becoming more content day by day. The only trouble that year being the memory of those terrible events in the dark valley, memories which became more and more distant as every month passed by.

Over time the suggestion of a possible excursion was put forward. Bertulda had heard Sir Huldbrand often speak of the grandeur of the Danube and the majestic city of Vienna. Undine begged her husband to take them on such. voyage. The knight’s only reservation that of the possibility of Kühleborns’ apperance. Undine reassured him that even if such an eventually were to present itself, she would be there to dissuade him.

However as they were sailing down the Danube, they noticed that the current of the river was changing sporadically. The crew had never seen such oddities before. Bertulda took off her necklace to see the golden glimmer as it reflected in the gentle flowing Danube. In the blink of an eye, an arm reached out of the water and grabbed the golden necklace.

The river became suddenly violent and the boat uncontrollable. Kühleborn showed himself once more, he taunted the knight and went once more beneath the water. For Sir Huldbrand this was the last straw. He cursed Kühleborn and his unnatural wife for his never ending trouble. At once Undine was snatched form the boat and carried beneath the water.

They retuned immediately to Ringstetten to mourn her fate. Yet Sir Huldbrand could not move himself to cry for his loss, meanwhile Bertulda holding herself responsible wept often for the fate of her friend Undine. From time to time Undine would feature in his dreams.

One day, after news of Undine’s demise had reached the dark valley, the Fisherman appeared at Ringstetten. With a view to protecting his daughters honour, he asked the knight that Bertulda return with him to the lakeside cabin. Huldbrand proposed that Bertulda marry him instead.

The Fisherman pondered the offer, but knew not if Undine was still alive as no body had been found. The tears and humility of Bertulda changed his mind and he gave his consent for the marriage. Fr. Heilmann was sent for at once.

Upon arriving a couple days later Fr. Heilmann asked to speak with Sir Huldbrand alone. He urged the knight not to remarry, that he should wait for the return of his wife Undine. Sir Huldbrand in his arrogance dismissed the warnings of the wise priest and instead sent for another to marry them.

The next couple days, waiting for Fr. Heilmann’s replacement, Sir Huldbrand could not sleep, for his dreams were haunted by nightmares surrounding the fate of his recently departed wife. A common vision was that of Undine beneath the Mediterranean Sea, in a palace of glass and gold.

In the dream he heard Undine and Kühleborn exchange remarks. Undine was adamant that her husband would remain loyal to her and Kühleborn reminded her that should this be proven wrong, then his life would be forfeited.

Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué describes a wedding feast that in all its superficial merriment, was nonetheless surrounded did in a strange sadness and impending doom. After the wedding Bertulda, accompanied by her chambermaids, was preparing herself in her usual evening routine. The chambermaids poured endless compliments on her, extolling her beauty.

Looking in the mirror however, she was not satisfied. She was still self conscious of the marks and spots on her neck. She pondered using the “purifying water” of the recently sealed fountain to wash them away. She ordered workmen to gather their tools and remove the stone seal on the courtyard fountain.

The workmen found the task surprisingly easy, they noted that the water within was somehow aiding them in their effort. Then suddenly a violent burst of water came forth and sent the capstone filing through the air.

A body of water made its way into the castle keep. There in his chambers, Sir Huldbrand was preparing for bed and awaiting his newlywed wife Bertulda, totally unaware of the commotion in the castle courtyard.

He heard a gentle playful knock on his door, the type that Undine would so often use. Upon opening the door, to his utter shock, he found Undine standing there before him. He covered his eyes fearing what she had become.

Undine reassured the knight that her beauty had not changed since their first encounter. The knight paralysed with fear couldn’t move and instead accepted his fate.

Undine accepted the knight and embraced him. After a passionate kiss from the mytheriosu Undine, the knight fell onto the ground, dead. A single tear could be seen in his eye.

News of the demise of the once mighty Sir Huldbrand soon spread thought Ringstteten and the surrounding hinterland. Fr. Heilmann made his way toward the castle. Upon entering the courtyard he met the monk that had been sent for in his place. The monk disturbed at the recent events, was fleeing the castle.

Fr. Heilmann presided over the funeral of the fallen knight in the local village church. He bore a large crucifix at the fore of the funeral procession and the those following after sung requiem hymns in his honour, praying that he receive his eternal reward.

As the procession made its way forward, a white feminine figure appeared in the crowd. To the terror of many it approached the top of the funeral procession and walked humbly behind Bertulda, others, disturbed by its presence gently scattered left and right. As the congregation knelt at the grave site of Sir Huldbrand, they observed a moment of silent prayer, all closing their eyes. As they opened them once more, the mystical white female figure was gone, all that was left where she stood was a puddle of water and a stream that led down to the lake adjacent to the graveyard.

So ends Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué’s 1811 tale Undine. The story is one of honour, love, promise, and ultimately death. Undine is a classic in the emerging “Romantic” liturgy genre of the time. It is not romantic in that it pertains to relationships of love, but rather that it pertains to the movement of Romanticism, an expression of adventure, myth, sacrifice, chivalry and heroism.

This genre speaks of belonging, of homeland. In the opening of chapter five we read; “after having been driven much to and fro in the world you have perhaps my deer reader, reached at length some spot where all was well with thee. Where the love for homeland/home (German: Heimat)and its calm peace, innate to all has again sprung up within thee. Where thou hath thought that this home is rich with all the flowers of childhood and of the purest deepest love that rests upon the graves of those that are gone and felt that it must be good to dwell here and build a house”.

It also speaks to our limitations and need to cultivate virtue when faced with adversity. Lust, greed and rage are the ultimate demise of a once great knight. Sir Huldbrand allows himself to be manipulated by passing beauty and dismisses warnings from those wiser than himself, all with disastrous consequences.

Niall Buckley

April 2020