Fairy Tales Celebrated in Major New Exhibition

Opening next month at the British Museum, Fairy Tales will celebrate the iconic heroes, villains and creatures that populate the worlds of fairy tales. 

Running March 27 through August 23, the exhibition is based around common locations in fairy tales, starting in a cosy cottage which focuses on the origins of fairy tales in oral storytelling including a collection of French stories in Histoires du temps passé by Charles Perrault, an illustration by Mervyn Peake for an edition of Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm and folk tales from around the world.

The second section is set in deep dark woods featuring Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and Rapunzel and look at how the representation of characters has evolved over time. Highlights include a printed edition of the tale illustrated by Kay Nielsen and a walk-through gingerbread house from Hansel and Gretel.

This is followed by a royal palace and the different forms of magic that exist within the world of fairy tales from spells and curses to fantastical objects. On view will be a copy of Cinderella illustrated by Arthur Rackham, reproductions of Disney sketches and concept artwork from Cinderella, original illustrations by Quentin Blake, a copy of Vasilisa the Beautiful illustrated by Ivan Bilibin and a copy of The Fisherman and his Wife by Eric Carle.

Next is a ‘far, far away land’ and magical creatures such as talking bears, selkies, mermaids, trolls and dragons. On show will be a Beauty and the Beast illustrated by Walter Crane, and a beautiful manuscript illustration of a dragon from the Persian legend the story of Darab, as well as an interactive troll bridge. The exhibition finishes with a ‘Happily ever after’ inspired ending which will include the original manuscript of Alice’s Adventures Under Ground by Lewis Carroll. 

"It will be an opportunity to see wonderful original illustrations, books and puppets that shaped the perception of many iconic characters and how authors and illustrators continue to re-interpret them," said Laura Walker, Lead Curator Modern Archives and Manuscripts at the British Library. "Fairy tales have always sat at the heart of storytelling, and we hope that the exhibition encourages families to revisit their favourite tales and heroes, while also introducing them to stories from around the world and their many retellings."