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Oil on cardboard Austria, Vienna, 1918 Franz Wicek (1883-1938) - Austrian painter and illustrator Annotated on reverse 'Im Kristallberg, gemalt von Franz Wacik, 1918 Wien' ('In the crystal cave, painted by Franz Wacik, 1918 Vienna') Dimensions, framed: 80 x 60 cm Very good condition Franz Wacik was a master of illustrations; comparable oil paintings by the artist fetch up to 15,000 Euro at international auctions The painting 'In the crystal cave' was painted by the Austrian artist Franz Wacik in Vienna in 1918. Wacik was renowned for his illustrations for well-known children book authors, such as the brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, as well as his graphic work for the Vienna Secession. The painting shows a fairy-tale setting in with a sleeping princess in a crystal cave. The princess is depicted in a wide, draped gown and seems threatened by the monstrous crystals that are growing from the ceiling. A young cavalier approaching her with a crossbow has most certainly come to save her. The painting shows elements of Art Déco, in the finely rendered figures and crystals, as well as the colour scheme. The painting is in good condition with slight traces of framing around the edges, which are not visible when the work is framed. The frame shows some signs of age and wear. The dimensions framed are 80 x 60 cm and the dimensions of the cardboard are 69.5 x 49.5 cm. The work is annotated by hand on the reverse 'Im Kristallberg, gemalt von Franz Wacik, 1918 Wien' ('In the crystal cave, painted by Franz Wacik, 1918 Vienna'). Franz Wacik (1883-1938) Franz Wacik was born in Vienna in 1883. He attended the painting school Strehblow and later studied at the School of Applied Arts as well as the Academy of Art in Vienna until 1908. Wacik was mostly working as a book illustrator for well-known authors such as the brothers Grimm, E.T.A. Hoffmann and many more.