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Sowa's Ark: An Enchanted Bestiary
Chronicle is proud to publish the exciting paintings of widely acclaimed German artist Michael Sowa. A miniature pig splashing in a bowl of soup; a duck leading a wheelbarrow down a country lane; a woman gently stroking her daughter's face with a take a trip into Sowa's brilliant and darkly comic imagination, where a menagerie of creatures adopt strange personae and pop up in the most unexpected places. In the same realm as Chris Van Allsburg and Maurice Sendak, Sowa's paintings take on the other-worldly look of a whacked-out fairy tale—each work full of irony, a wry Brothers Grimm for grown-ups. These witty and satirical images—a cross between Magritte and The Far Side —are sure to attract a well-deserved and passionate following in the States.
72 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
About the author
Michael Sowa
45 books7 followersMichael Sowa is a German artist known mainly for his paintings, which are variously whimsical, surreal, or stunning. His paintings often feature animals and are titled in English and German. His art is widely available as posters, notecards, postcards, and calendars.
Sowa studied at the Berlin State School of Fine Arts for seven years and worked briefly as an art teacher before focusing entirely on his career as a painter and illustrator. A book of 50 paintings titled Sowa's Ark: An Enchanted Bestiary was published in 1996. He also illustrated Esterhazy, The Rabbit Prince by Irene Dische and Hans M. Enzensberger. He is the illustrator of The Little King December and A Bear Called Sunday, both authored by Axel Hacke.
He was the cover artist for several albums, including Mad Season by Matchbox Twenty and two covers for The Beautiful South's Miaow and for their single "Everybody's Talkin'."
He gained new followers for his work on the 2001 film Amélie where his art on the walls comes to life. Sowa contributes illustrations to the satirical German magazine, Titanic, and he also did the art work for magazine covers of several well-known periodicals, most notably the December 2, 2002 issue of The New Yorker.
from Wikipedia
Sowa studied at the Berlin State School of Fine Arts for seven years and worked briefly as an art teacher before focusing entirely on his career as a painter and illustrator. A book of 50 paintings titled Sowa's Ark: An Enchanted Bestiary was published in 1996. He also illustrated Esterhazy, The Rabbit Prince by Irene Dische and Hans M. Enzensberger. He is the illustrator of The Little King December and A Bear Called Sunday, both authored by Axel Hacke.
He was the cover artist for several albums, including Mad Season by Matchbox Twenty and two covers for The Beautiful South's Miaow and for their single "Everybody's Talkin'."
He gained new followers for his work on the 2001 film Amélie where his art on the walls comes to life. Sowa contributes illustrations to the satirical German magazine, Titanic, and he also did the art work for magazine covers of several well-known periodicals, most notably the December 2, 2002 issue of The New Yorker.
from Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 17, 2026
Who is Michael Sowa? A renowned German painter, illustrator, and master of what is often called comic art, his work is filled with whimsy, imagination, and animals placed in delightfully unexpected settings.
When this book was donated to my Little Free Library Shed, I opened it out of curiosity—and quickly found myself completely captivated. As someone who usually prefers being lost in words, I was surprised by how much I loved this visual journey through more than fifty of his paintings. It reminded me that storytelling can live just as powerfully in images as it does in language.
Known for his old-master style and remarkable technical skill, it’s no surprise that some of his work has appeared on the covers of The New Yorker magazine. His paintings balance classical beauty with gentle humor, creating scenes that feel both familiar and dreamlike.
Michael Markowicz’s insightful foreword adds meaningful context, inviting readers to appreciate the depth, intention, and quiet wit behind the artwork before stepping fully into Sowa’s world.
Throughout the book, animals drift through seaside landscapes, wander small towns, and share space with humans in ways that feel both surreal and completely natural. The humor is subtle—never loud or forced—but deeply charming. At times the scenes are playful, at others poetic and serene, yet always infused with warmth, respect, and a sense of connection.
What stayed with me most is how these paintings celebrate the beauty and magic hidden in ordinary life. They invite us to pause, imagine, and see the world with more curiosity and kindness.
This book is joyful, imaginative, and deeply comforting. I closed it feeling lighter, more attentive, and grateful for the quiet wonder that surrounds us every day. Highly recommended for anyone who loves art, animals, or simply the delight of being transported somewhere unexpected.
When this book was donated to my Little Free Library Shed, I opened it out of curiosity—and quickly found myself completely captivated. As someone who usually prefers being lost in words, I was surprised by how much I loved this visual journey through more than fifty of his paintings. It reminded me that storytelling can live just as powerfully in images as it does in language.
Known for his old-master style and remarkable technical skill, it’s no surprise that some of his work has appeared on the covers of The New Yorker magazine. His paintings balance classical beauty with gentle humor, creating scenes that feel both familiar and dreamlike.
Michael Markowicz’s insightful foreword adds meaningful context, inviting readers to appreciate the depth, intention, and quiet wit behind the artwork before stepping fully into Sowa’s world.
Throughout the book, animals drift through seaside landscapes, wander small towns, and share space with humans in ways that feel both surreal and completely natural. The humor is subtle—never loud or forced—but deeply charming. At times the scenes are playful, at others poetic and serene, yet always infused with warmth, respect, and a sense of connection.
What stayed with me most is how these paintings celebrate the beauty and magic hidden in ordinary life. They invite us to pause, imagine, and see the world with more curiosity and kindness.
This book is joyful, imaginative, and deeply comforting. I closed it feeling lighter, more attentive, and grateful for the quiet wonder that surrounds us every day. Highly recommended for anyone who loves art, animals, or simply the delight of being transported somewhere unexpected.
December 9, 2022
I am currently reading as many of Nick Bantok’s books as I can possibly get my hands on. This is a picture book containing the art of German illustrator Michael Sowa. I requested it from the library because Nick Bantok wrote the preface for the book. I was a little surprised to find the art inside is familiar from my college days in the early 90’s. Back then I began collecting postcards of the illustrations of Michael Sowa, an artist I knew nothing about. And here they are, nearly 30 years later.
I think Bantok’s preface is pretty weak but the art is still crazy good. I can see how he would have been the right person to write the preface at the time but he gives no insight into Sowa’s surrealist works. No matter. I am happy to be reunited.
I think Bantok’s preface is pretty weak but the art is still crazy good. I can see how he would have been the right person to write the preface at the time but he gives no insight into Sowa’s surrealist works. No matter. I am happy to be reunited.
December 27, 2023
Gary Larson's The Far Side meets Graeme Base, Chris Van Allsburg or perhaps David Wiesner... original artwork is in German, if you can read it. Otherwise, there is a translated caption. A free borrow from OpenLibrary. NB: not fantastical creatures, but fantastical representations of extant critters (mini miniature pigs, a menacing giant rabbit on page 66 that I loved, and strange daydreaming of cats and dogs, and a moth on a leash..)
July 6, 2018
Finally. After searching for 17 years I found this book. 💗
December 3, 2018
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh love these! wish some that were detail panels had corresponding full reproductions. the atmosphere of these paintings is so intense.
January 4, 2019
For all ages. German illustrator astounds you as he combines styles from Vermeer, the Absurdists, Dadaism, and Titian.
September 13, 2021
The beasts are about!
December 31, 2022
Hopperian
January 29, 2009
beautiful. I love the rabbits schelping around the city
February 27, 2010
humourous fine art--
July 26, 2010
Charming and fanciful artwork. I want to own a couple of his pieces. I never got a hold of the actual book, but I have scoured the internet looking for all of the art in it. Does that count? :)
October 14, 2011
A hilarious collection of surreal illustrations. This artist's work was used on the set of the French film "Amelie".
November 24, 2015
One of my favorite artists. The pictures are fanciful and intriguing. I find them absolutely delightful.
November 10, 2012
Simply breath-taking illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews