Before the Efteling theme park (the largest in the Netherlands) was opened around these works, ten delightfully unsettling fairytale scenes graced Sprookjesbos.

Dummies based on the darkly nuanced illustrations of Dutch artist Anton Pieck populate fantasy tableaux straight out of European fables.

From the source:
The original set of tableaus contained scenes from such popular stories as Snow White and Sleeping Beauty as well as lesser known tales such as Mother Hulda’s Well and The Frog King. Some of the figures in the scenes were animated with early mechanical effects, and each scene had a voice-box or book that would tell the story associated with it.

Since its inception the collection of scenes continued to grow, building moments from stories ranging from Little Red Riding Hood to The Indian Water Lillies. Each new scene maintained Pieck’s signature style, even as the technology evolved, and even as older fairytale scenes were updated and replaced. Today there are a total 28 scenes, each culled from the fairy tale greats such as Hans Christian Anderson and The Brothers Grimm. And just like the original stories, they continue to prove just a little creepy.

I’d love to see a full photo collection of the pre-Efteling lanscapes.

See the modern park here.