My poem Larsson House is a little different to my usual ekphrastic poetry.
You probably recognise the style of Swedish painter, Carl Larsson (1853-1919), as many of his children’s illustrations are still around. A painter of the Arts and Crafts Movement, Larsson, along with his artist/designer wife, Karin (1859-1928), are recognised as creators of the Swedish style – combining folk art and other influences with bright, airy, practical design. And, it needed to be practical. Carl and Karin had eight children.
Many of Carl’s paintings and illustrations focussed on the Larssons’ version of relaxed, idyllic family life.
If you’d like a peek at their house, which is still owned and used by the Larsson family, but open to tourists for guided tours, try this link. And here is a video tour by Carl and Karin’s great-great-great grand-daughter.
So, with all this in mind, I thought a few nursery rhymes might be in keeping with the intended audience of the illustration. A little more information on Mother Goose here.
Larsson House
(i)
Mary had a little stomach ache.
The only way she said it would go,
Was with hot chocolate, and a little cake.
Would Mary lie? Oh no!
(ii)
Little Miss Larsson
Looked in the jars some
Hoping to find honey for bread –
(both parents were painters,
designers, illustrators )
– found Nordic style in them instead!
(iii)
Twinkle twinkle Das Haus in der Sonne,
How I wonder if the century gone,
Has faded your friezes and jewelled panelling,
the fabrics, the drawings, the enamelling?
Twinkle twinkle, The House in the Sun
Your cheery folk art charms everyone.
(iv)
Old Mother Hubbard
went to her Ikea skåp
to fetch her poor hund a ben.
But when she got there,
the skåp was bare
and so her poor hund had ingen.
(v)
Little lie-a-bed be nimble
Little lie-a-bed be quick
Your sister’s out to play
while you’re still playing sick.
(vi)
Humpty Dumpty sat on the table
Humpty Dumpty drank the milk he was able
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Braved Humpty’s lactose issues again.
(vii)
Ring a ring o’ rosie
This Swedish life was cosy
A-tishoo! A-tishoo!
This child’s lucky life.
©elsp 2025
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