Louis Moe – Little Red Riding Hood

Louis Moe (1857–1945), Little Red Riding Hood, 1905, ink, pencil, and watercolor on paper, H. 31.5 cm; W. 41 cm.

Danish-Norwegian illustrator and engraver, Louis Moe established himself at the turn of the 20th century as a master of Nordic imagery, blending animal worlds, mythological tales, and folk stories.

In this interpretation of the famous tale Little Red Riding Hood, Moe brings to life a scene of silent tension, captured deep within the forest. The wolf, anthropomorphic in expression and posture, gazes at the child with a look mingling appetite and deceit. The girl’s frozen stance, clutching her basket and umbrella, heightens the ambiguity of the moment: dialogue or trap? Play or threat?

The drawing, exquisitely detailed, combines sharp ink lines with delicate wash modeling. The limited yet expressive palette creates a suspended, almost theatrical atmosphere, typical of Moe’s compositions. The tight framing of the encounter intensifies the drama of the image.

A rare example of his large-format graphic work, this piece illustrates Moe’s unique approach: a precise narrative art, balancing literary tradition and Symbolist modernity.

Condition Report

The watercolor is in good condition.
It presents a very small light stain on the lower part and a minor paper streak beneath the foot of the girl.
Nothing affects the image.
The paper support is yellowed due to age, but it shows no issues that could compromise the work.

Please note that the paper support appears significantly darker in reality than in the photograph.

Sold in a frame in excellent condition, fitted with UV-protective glass.
Please note that Ferli Fine Art does not guarantee the condition of the frames.

Viewable by appointment; please do not hesitate to ask for further details.