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Rain of Stars

Štěpán Zavřel

Rain of Stars is one of Štěpán Zavřel’s earliest illustrated books, published in 1969 by Patmos in Düsseldorf. Based on the Brothers Grimm’s eponymous tale, it explores the value of generosity and selflessness toward others. This timeless fairy tale has the power to convey ancient and fundamental emotions and values—ones that a rapidly changing world like ours may risk overlooking. As is often the case in Zavřel’s works, it’s a story rooted in true and sincere faith, set against evocative backdrops that are brought to life with the artist’s masterful use of color and composition.
For Zavřel, the illustrated book is an invaluable tool for a child’s development, crafted with care in both text and image, almost as a work of timeless art. He chooses the technique to suit the message of each story, and in this Grimm tale, he sets it in a wintry landscape, painting snowy scenes with opaque brushstrokes and soft, cold colors. The narrative unfolds across a mix of visual perspectives—bird’s-eye views and close-ups—creating an atmosphere of anticipation, curiosity, and suspense about the fate of the little orphan girl. This powerful, almost theatrical, visual experience pulls children in. The quiet presence of animals and the many hidden details in the landscape invite young readers into a treasure hunt, as they search for familiar elements hidden among trees, bushes, winding paths, streams, rivers, and ponds.
If fairy tales are said to nourish the soul and continue speaking to children long after the story ends, Zavřel’s Rain of Stars also serves to remind adults of the importance of illustrated books as a vital educational tool for children. It also teaches young readers that within themselves lie all the resources needed to overcome life’s challenges.
The works you see displayed in the museum are painted in tempera.