The purpose of this study is to identify the means of artwork different illustrators have used to visualize The Little Match Girl, the fairy tale. Given the theory and the study results the possibilities of using modern illustration techniques and postmodernism approach to create an updated interpretation of the tale using the existing material is discussed. This study is qualitative research. The analysis is based on Gustav Cavallius' associative interpretation model, which analyzes the narrative content of the image without text analysis. The research method is observation and comparison of empiric picture material. Thematic analysis is used to highlight themes within the studied illustrations which clarify the research problem. Illustrations portraying visions and presence of the other world are analyzed through the poetics of composition by Boris Uspenski, which explains the principles of composition within a painting. The study includes a brief introduction into the history of The Little Match Girl and the traditions of illustration. The history of picture books shows different functions for picture books and illustrations. Illustrations represent subjective intuitions of the illustrator but are also bound to some illustrative tradition. Illustrations visualize the habitat, history, different artistic styles and predecessors of the illustrator. In addition to expression technique and style typical of illustrator's era, means of surface construction and composition are used to visualize the tale. A great deal of the material studied is rather conservative and loyal to illustrative tradition, but there are also exceptions. Decades have gradually evolved the former external, declaratory description into illustrations depicting emotions and deeper meanings. The change and development in content ideology has also influenced shape and visual presentation. In addition to the traditional means of illustration, postmodernism offers alternative ways of illustration to deal with a contradictional subject. Intertextuality, changes in viewer perspective and fragmented image offer different methods to interpret and illustrate the subject. Symbolism in illustrations enables multilevel interpretation. The concreteness of the tale world can be wrapped into abstract representation of feelings. There is a possibility to leave the end untold, choose not to illustrate the explainatory end of story, which results in a fantastic, modern tale.