Friedrich Hechelmann

»Only someone with dreams, has desire. When it is positive, the mind flourishes and gives rise to reflection.« These are the words of painter Friedrich Hechelmann. In his chosen field, illustration, the artist feels empowered to play out his own passion for spinning yarns. He sees himself as an interpreter of beauty, who creates hopeful images of a better future, images of hope and of awe and respect for the mystery of our world.

Friedrich Hechelmann was born in 1948 in Isny. After attending "Die Höhere Grafische Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt", he continued his studies from 1969 to 1972 at the Academy of Fine Arts (Akademie der Bildenden Künste) in Vienna and is in Prof. Rudolf Hausner's master class. As early as 1972, he illustrated his first book of fairy tales, Dwarf Nose (Zwerg Nase). This was followed by many other book illustrations, such as Münchhausen (Hirmer 1983), Ophelia's Shadow Theatre (Ophelias Schattentheater, Thienemann 1988); Orpheus and Eurydice (Orpheus und Eurydike, Weitbrecht 1996); Water is Life (Wasser ist Leben, Insel 1997); Pan's Sunken Garden (Pans versunkener Garten, Aquamarin 2000); The Big Book of Ballads (Das große Balladenbuch, Thienemann 2000); most recently The Big Book of Fairies and Elves (Das große Buch der Feen und Elfen, Knaur 2004) and the award-winning book Tristan, which was selected as one of the fifty most beautiful books of the Stiftung Buchkunst (Foundation for the Art of Bookmaking) and was later, in fact, to win the Bundeskunstbuchpreis (German Award for the Art of Bookmaking). Very early on, television became aware of the artist. In 1973, ZDF produced a portrait about the artist, and in 1976, the South German Broadcasting Co. (Süddeutsche Rundfunk) Stuttgart produced a documentary for ARD about Hechelmanns "Giants' Toys (Riesenspielzeug). The book's illustrations had been published a year before. Since then, many more television portrayals have been broadcast. Hechelmann also expressed himself in film. In Goblins' Inn (Gnomenwirtshaus) (1978), Hechelmann not only directed, but also wrote the screenplay and created décor and costumes. Hechelmann's Dream Theatre (Traumtheater) a Süddeutschen Rundfunk production represented a "complete work"- idea, script, props, scenery, figures and music were all produced by Hechelmann, who also directed. Numerous exhibitions, books, sets and stage decors as well as films (Herbert von Karajan, August Everding) and publications in Germany and abroad have caused Hechelmann's reputation as an artist and illustrator to grow year after year. Hechelmann lives and works in Isny. A permanent exhibition in the art gallery of the castle in Isny and the "Friedrich Hechelmann und Schloss Isny Kunst- und Kulturstiftung" (Friedrich Hechelmann and Castle Isny Foundation for Art and Culture) provide the artist's large, enthusiastic circle of admirers a lively, artistic forum. In 1998, Hechelmann founded his own summer academy "Schule des Sehens" (School of Seeing), which was a tremendous success.

• HC: Thiele Verlag (2012)

The Ghostknight
Childrens Book by Cornelia Funke, illustrated by Friedrich Hechelmann

• HC: Dressler 2011

Return of the Angels
Text by Michaela Albrecht

Angels – they are the light of the night and the guardians of our souls. They are always close to us and yet deny us to grasp them. What is it that makes them happy? What do they dream of and where do they feel at home? The artist Friedrich Hechelmann and the writer Michaela Albrecht have set off on a quest for our angels. They show us their beauty, their wisdom and their warmth in opulent paintings and sensitive words.

• HC: Knaur 2010

Momo
Illustrated by Friedrich Hechelmann

A Homage to Michael Ende – “Momo” newly illustrated by Friedrich Hechelmann.

“Momo“ is not a story just for children or just for adults. Published in 1973 and the winner of the German and European Youth Book Prize, the novel can still be read as a parable of our society and the way it treats time. “Momo“ became a cult book and is a bestseller all over the world.

An uncanny company of “grey gentlemen“ is making more and more people save time. But everyone is getting colder and lifeless. Master Hora, the “time administrator“, decides to intervene, but needs the help of a human child – Momo. With nothing but a flower in her hand and a turtle under her arm, struggles all by herself against the vast hordes of “grey gentlemen“ – and is wondrously victorious.

• HC: Thienemann 2009

Bouquet of Flowers:
Friedrich Hechelmann's Most Beautiful Blossoms

Edited and illustrated by Friedrich Hechelmann. (Volume II)

Friedrich Hechelmann's gloriously colourful and delicately drawn flowers exercise an enduring appeal, manifesting themselves as intimations of a world of light. By means of poetry, aphorisms, art and literature this latest gift book takes the reader on an absorbing journey through the world of flowers.

• HC: Knaur 2007

The Bible
Illustrated by Friedrich Hechelmann

Following on from renowned artists Ernst Fuchs and Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Friedrich Hechelmann is the chosen illustrator for Pattloch Verlag's edition of the book of books. His bible, featuring a cycle of pictures created specifically for the project, is a beautifully crafted work of art that will appeal to art-collectors and book-lovers alike. Both illustrator and publisher surpass themselves in terms of artistry and skill and the innovative use of offset and silk-screen printing lends the illustrations a special power and radiance.

• HC: Pattloch 2006

A Hundred Butterflies For You
Friedrich Hechelmann's Most Beautiful Butterflies

Edited and illustrated by Friedrich Hechelmann. (Vol. 1 of a series of Gift books by Friedrich Hechelmann) Friedrich Hechelmann's pictures reflect the magic and beauty of nature: the brightness of a spring meadow, the cool tenderness of a dewdrop — and the splendour of butterflies, shining like flowers. Delightful illustrations and beautiful poems on the winged messengers of dreams turn this special book into a feast of images and words.

• HC: Knaur 2006

Friedrich Hechelmann Decamerone

In 1348, as the plague devastates Florence, seven women and three men flee to a country house. To while away the time they tell ten stories in ten days, stories about love and misery, loyalty and betrayal. The Decameron by Florentine poet Giovanni Boccaccio has enjoyed great popularity for more than 600 years. It is a timeless piece of literature. Friedrich Hechelmann, internationally successful illustrator has transformed the most beautiful stories of this work into fabulously creative, richly coloured pictures.

• Cloth-binding in a decrative casing: Droemer Knaur 2000

The Big Book of Fairies and Elves
Text by Andreas Gößling

With magical lightness, fairies and elves find their way through our narratives, legends and tales; our dreams, wishes and desires. We know them as a small, dancing people, as fragile, invisible creatures of woods and meadows; as gracious spirits with an erotic aura. Their story tradition is especially rich and alive in some regions, mainly in those parts of Europe influenced by Celtic culture, in Scandinavia and Greece, but also in the Orient. Andreas Gößling takes the reader by the hand, offering an entertaining and informative guide through the magical, enchanting realm of those natural spirits.

• HC: Knaur 2004


• HC: Weltbild 2005

The Great Picture Book for Writing
Foreword by Gerhard Köpf

A book which inspires the reader to write. There are no limits to the possibilities of one's own creative talents. With a little imagination, you can create a completely new kind of poesy album or guest book. You can keep your own personal diary and write down wonderful experiences and thoughts. 64 pages with 26 full page illustrations, 28 vignettes, large format: 30 x 40 cm

• Weitbrecht Verlag 2001

The Great Ballad Book
Otfried Preußler and Heinrich Pleticha with an Epilogue by Antje

Behind every ballad there is a story, be it an historic or an anecdotic one. Otfried Preußler and Heinrich Pleticha know how to tell such stories. With a wealth of knowledge and plenty of humour they lead us through the world of famous ballads, such as "Taucher", "Erlkönig" and "Loreley". Four categories of texts they have collected in their anthology: historic ballads, nature ballads, ghost ballads and humorous ballads. Short introductions, useful word explanations and the atmospheric pictures by the painter Friedrich Hechelmann turn this book into a well-rounded delight. 416 pages format: 17,5 x 24,5 cm

• Thienemann Verlag 2000

Pans versunkener Garten
With texts and pictures by Friedrich Hechelmann

The painter Friedrich Hechelmann has a mysterious encounter with the world of Pan, the enigmatic creature who is responsible for so many wonders of nature. Without Hechelmann's exploratory spirit and his audacity, the world would still know nothing about the miracles that in the sunken garden of Pan await their discovery... 100 pages, colour illustrations throughout format: 30 x 40 cm

• Aquamarin Verlag 2000

Water is Life
With illustrations by Friedrich Hechelmann and an epilogue by Gi

The element water forms the centre piece of the 22 pictures in this book. They communicate enthrallingly with the texts by Thales of Milet, Goethe, Rilke, Hermann Hesse, Bertold Brecht, Friedrich Georg Jünger and Martin Walser: »Water is life, is change, is a parable. Water is the archaic symbol for the possible victory of softness over hardness«, is what Hechelmann himself says about this book.

• Insel Verlag (Insel Bücherei) 1997

Orpheus und Eurydike
Newly told by Antje Vollmer

In a dreamlike trance, love and imagination cross all borders of time and reality. Together they create immortal stories, pictures and songs, which still enchant us centuries later. Friedrich Hechelmann and Antje Vollmer have awakened the famous lovers from the antique myth to new life. Knowledgeably and with poetic charm, Antje Vollmer relates the passionate love between the nymph Eurydice and the mythical singer Orpheus. In his masterly painted illustrations, Hechelmann conjures up the magic power of emotions and of art, which, united, are able to overcome the law of the Gods and Death.. 48 pages, colour illustrations throughout large format: 30 x 40 cm

• Weitbrecht Verlag 1996

Hechelmann's Midsummer Night's Dream
Based on the play by William Shakespeare. With an epilogue by Antje Vollmer.

Friedrich Hechelmann turns William Shakespeare's popular and frequently performed comedy about the dream of a midsummer's night into a fantastic magical world, populated by the spirits of nature. 48 pages, colour illustrations throughout, large format: 30 x 40 cm.

»The magical realms, spookily beautiful architecture in the light of eerie moonlit nights, filigree carpets, woven from fairy flowers, mountains of clouds, yearning, dream, lunacy and poetry of the spirits — all these seem so familiar to this master of fantasy as if he meets, by night, with the snow-white beauties and their poets in the garden of dreams.« (Die Zeit)

• Weitbrecht Verlag 1994

Your Saviour is Born Today
The Christmas Story

Poetic prophecies about the Christmas story from the gospels of Luke and Matthew, texts from the Bible according to the translation by Martin Luther. Hechelmann allows us space for our own experiences. He offers glimpses of the historic events and using his art, creates an atmosphere in which we can receive the spiritual message. 40 pages, all in colour 11 large colour illustrations, 14 vignettes, 152 medallions, large format: 27 x 36 cm

• Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft 1991

Dreams and Adventures

This book offers its readers a cross-section through the works of world literature. The atmospheric pictures by Friedrich Hechelmann invite us to stay and to think, continuing what the written words have started on another artistic level. 415 pages with 35 colour illustrations format: 17,5 x 24,5 cm

• Thienemann Verlag 1991

The Big Picture Book of Writing

A book which inspires the observer to write. There are no limits to possibilities of one's own creative talents. With a little imagination, you can create a completely new kind of poesy album or guest book. You can keep your own personal diary and write down wonderful experiences and thoughts. 64 pages with 26 full page illustrations, 28 vignettes, large format: 30 x 40 cm

• Weitbrecht Verlag 1990


• Weltbild Verlag 2006

The History of Beautiful Lau
Story by Eduard Mörike

With this book, Hechelmann introduces us to a story that speaks to his soul. In its words he finds a truth that is still valid for our time. At the centre of his quiet, expressive pictures, he places water, a mysterious and precious element. 48 pages, colour illustrations throughout format: 24 x 33 cm

• Weitbrecht Verlag 1989

Ophelias Schattentheater
Story by Michael Ende

32 pages, colour illustrations throughout, format: 23,5 x 30,5 cm

• Thienemann Verlag 1988


• Sold to: Greece, Spanien, Brazil, Japan, Australia, USA, Great Britain, Norway, Spain, Poland, Finland, Sweden, China, Korea.

Hechelmann's Reading Trip
With Stories from various authors from world literature

with 24 colour illustrations

• Weitbrecht Verlag 1986


• Rights free

Tristan - die Minnegrotte
Story by Gottfried von Strassburg with colour illustrations

Bundeskunstbuchpreis (Award for Book Art) 50 schönste Bücher (Award 50 most beautiful books) Anniversary-edition for the 175. anniversary of the Bertelsmann Verlags 1985

• Bertelsmann Verlags 1985


• Rights free

Reading Journey 5-10
Reading Book for Grammar Schools

• Schulbuchverlag Cornelsen-Velhagen & Clasing 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989

A Christmas Dream
Text: Elisabeth Borchers

This book was based on the internationally honoured television film of the same name by Friedrich Hechelmann. It uses motifs from the fairy tale by Andersen about the little girl selling matches. 44 pages with colour illustrations, fromat: 33 x 24 cm

• Hirmer Verlag 1984


• Weitbrecht 1995


• Rights free

Münchhausen
Story by Gottfried August Bürger

130 pages, 24 colour illustrations, format: 25 x 32,5 cm

• Hirmer Verlag 1983


• Deutscher Bücherbund

Phantastes
Story by George McDonald

100 pages with 26 colour illustrations

• Hirmer Verlag 1982


• Rights free

Justus Suppenstroh
Story by Friedrich Hechelmann

durchgehend bebildert

• Artemis-Winkler Verlag 1980


• Rights free

German Fairy Tales

with numerous colour illustrations

• Winkler Verlag 1980


• Deutscher Bücherbund, Stuttgart


• Rights free

Klein Zaches, genannt Zinnober
Story by E.T.A. Hoffmann

illustrated throughout

• Kunstverlag Weingarten 1978


• Sonderausgabe: Franklin Bibliothek, Ottobrunn-New York


• Rights free

The Toy of Giants
Story by Adalbert von Chamisso

illustrated throughout

• Nord-Süd-Verlag 1976


• several licensed editions


• Rights free

Vier Andersen-Märchen
Fairy Tales by H. C. Andersen

illustrated throughout

• Nord-Süd-Verlag 1975


• Rights free

Zwerg Nase
Text: Wilhelm Hauff

This is the enchanting fairy tale by Hauff about little Jakob who was turned by a witch into a dwarf with a giant nose. Emotionally illustrated by Friedrich Hechelmann. 32 pages, colour illustrations throughout format: 21,5 x 28,7 cm

• Nord-Süd-Verlag 1974, by now 8th edition


• Translations in 12 countries, including France, England, Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium

Plumps-O-Moto
Story by James Clavell

with 20 colour illustrations

• Droemer Knaur Verlag 1983


• Rights free