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What is an art fairy tale and which English writers created notable examples?

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children’s literature Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet, illustration of A.A. Milne's classic children's tale by Ernest H. Shepard.

An art fairy tale, or Kunstmärchen, is a literary work that utilizes the marvelous elements and wonder-filled nature of traditional folktales but is the product of a specific author’s invention rather than oral tradition. Unlike traditional folktales, which often evolve through communal retelling, art fairy tales are characterized by a personal style and frequently incorporate elements such as contemporary social satire or autobiography.12

In Victorian England, several writers cultivated this genre as a reaction against the era's prevailing moral tales, though many of these works struggled to achieve lasting popularity. Notable English examples include:13

John Ruskin: Author of The King of the Golden River (1851).13
Charles Kingsley: Author of The Water-Babies (1863), which served as a symbolic bridge between the moral tale and the more imaginative literature that followed.14
Oscar Wilde: Renowned for his exquisite artistry in The Happy Prince and Other Tales (1888).145
Other contributors: Writers such as Jean Ingelow (Mopsa the Fairy), Dinah Maria Mulock Craik (The Little Lame Prince), and Mrs. Ewing also contributed to the establishment of the genre during the late 19th century.4