Little Red Riding Hood remains an enduring motif in Western folklore, symbolizing transformation, survival, and the passage from innocence to experience. Urs Jaermann harnesses this rich symbolic heritage in a style that is both contemporary and respectful of the source material. The first painting, “Little Red Riding Hood – Girl,” depicts the character moving through a dense, barren forest. Stark white and black trees create a sense of cold and mystery, while the red of the cloak serves as a vivid, emotional anchor in an otherwise subdued landscape. The careful placement of the figure within the wintry woods draws direct reference to the narrative’s themes of vulnerability and courage.

The wolf as antagonist and symbol

In “Little Red Riding Hood – Wolf,” Jaermann presents the wolf not just as an adversary, but as a dominant figure that seems to command its own woodland domain. The rich reds of the trunks play off the wolf’s fur, underscoring tension and foreboding. The wolf’s penetrating gaze is simultaneously threatening and enigmatic, suggesting both danger and intelligence. Unlike traditional representations that emphasize overt menace, Jaermann’s wolf is regal and calm, embodying a balance between beauty and threat. By pairing this image with that of the girl, Jaermann reflects on the duality of the story and the roles of hunter and hunted, fear and fascination.

Dialogue between light and shadow

Jaermann’s technical skill is apparent in his use of contrasting color palettes for each panel. The cold, silvery whites of the forest in the first painting contrast with the warm reds and browns of the second, which amplifies the psychological gap between the worlds inhabited by Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf. At the same time, the intertwined trees in both works visually connect the two scenes, underscoring the narrative link between protagonist and antagonist. This subtle use of light, shadow, and color evokes the fairy tale’s timeless mood and motifs.

United narrative and collectible value

By acquiring both “Little Red Riding Hood – Girl” and “Little Red Riding Hood – Wolf” as a set, collectors experience the full narrative and emotive scope of Jaermann’s vision. Each canvas—sized at 120 cm x 140 cm—makes a significant visual impact, while together, they form a unified exploration of a classic story that continues to inspire audiences across generations.

Snow White by Urs Jaermann: an exploration of symbolism and modern myth

Snow White presents a thought-provoking artistic vision where fairytale narrative merges seamlessly with contemporary iconography. The artwork examines the renowned fable through a diptych, each painting measuring 140 × 120 cm, displaying a compelling interplay between innocence and danger.

The left panel introduces viewers to an imposing, sleekly stylized bottle of perfume prominently labeled “Poison.” The bottle’s dark, glossy surface and luminous red core evoke both allure and menace, suggesting the irresistible temptation that lies at the heart of the Snow White story. Snow-like dots scatter across the scene, connecting the background to the fairytale’s wintry atmosphere and hinting at the fateful encounter. In Jaermann’s vision, the luxury fragrance bottle becomes a modern emblem for the lethal apple, cleverly commenting on the seductive risks in consumer culture and vanity.

In the right panel, Urs Jaermann vividly reimagines Snow White herself. She lies pale and motionless, clad in a crisp white blouse, her red lips strikingly vivid against her porcelain complexion. Beside her, a hand clasps a red apple bearing a single bite, symbolizing the fairytale’s pivotal moment of betrayal and slumber. The black hair cascading across the canvas, coupled with delicately painted shadows, intensifies the sense of fragile beauty and tragedy. The two panels together form a dialogue, where the threat and its consequence—the poison and the fallen Snow White—are given equal weight in the narrative. Through meticulous detail and compositional balance, Jaermann draws viewers into the tale’s emotional core.

The size of each painting, 140 × 120 cm, gives the works a commanding presence. The life-scale dimensions invite viewers to step into the enigmatic tension between desire and danger. Displayed side by side, the diptych emphasizes duality: life and death, innocence and experience, fantasy and harsh reality. Jaermann’s interpretation is not a mere retelling, but a contemporary meditation on lasting myth—the double-edged power of beauty, the peril of seduction, and the vulnerability of innocence.

Both paintings are offered as a single unit, underscoring the intent to experience the narrative as a unified visual statement rather than segmented pieces. The price encompasses the story in its entirety, encouraging collectors and audiences alike to engage with the full arc of Snow White’s transformation as conceived by the artist. Jaermann merges classical iconography from fairy tales with symbols of modern luxury, sparking questions about the persistence and evolution of legendary narratives in today’s visual culture.