Die phantastischen Märchenträume (The Fantastic Fairy Tale Dreams)
Mass-produced offset color lithograph/poster on paper • Fred Anselm (German, 1922-2005)
Style & Movement
Fantastic Realism / Surrealism; influenced by the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism and Northern Renaissance grotesque (Bosch/Bruegel)
Medium & Technique
Offset lithography; reproduction of an original painting likely executed in oil or tempera. The print uses mechanical screening to replicate the artist's sfumato and layered color transitions.
Creation Period
Circa 1970s (The copyright line references 'Western Germany', dating it prior to 1990; the style is typical of the mid-to-late 20th-century German fantastic realism)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 60 x 80 cm; Square-format image printed on a rectangular portrait-oriented poster sheet
Subject Description
A dense, circular 'horror vacui' composition featuring a central fetus-like or goblin figure surrounded by an interlocking swirl of anthropomorphic animals, mythological creatures, and human-headed beasts. The figures transition from yellow light in the center to deep cerulean blue at the edges, suggesting a dreamscape or cosmic womb.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Poor; The print exhibits significant moisture damage and staining along the bottom margin (tidelines) and visible reflective scuffing on the surface.
Estimated Market Value
$20 - $50 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30 USD (Likely a 'no-reserve' item for a general household auction)
Provenance History
Commercial production by 'Dahmen und Spittler - Kaiserslautern - Western Germany'. Likely purchased as decorative art or souvenirs in Germany during the late 20th century.
Art Historical Significance
Fred Anselm was a regional German painter known for his phantasmagorical and fairy-tale themes. While his original paintings hold some value in the German market, this is a mass-produced decorative reproduction with limited secondary market interest.
Notable Features
Features a distinct copyright line at the bottom right identifying the publisher and location in Western Germany; includes a printed facsimile signature 'Anselm' followed by a '73' (likely the date of the original painting).
Condition Issues
Severe water damage (acidic staining) on the lower white margin; surface abrasions and glare from being framed against glass without a spacer; potential fading from UV exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
The cost of professional conservation (deacidification and washing) would exceed the market value of the print. If kept for sentimental reasons, it should be re-matted with acid-free board to hide the stains and placed under UV-protective glass.