Detail; The wild Hunt of Odin, c. 1872
Oil on canvas
Width: 240.5 cm, Height: 166 cm
The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design
The participants in the wild hunt of Odin were ghosts and the restless souls of the dead. According to Norwegian folklore they were led by Sigurd Fåvnesbane (Sigurd Dragon-slayer), with the troll witch Gyro Ryssetova (Gudrun Horse-tail) as the rear guard. The long midwinter nights were filled with supernatural creatures and danger.
Peter Nicolai Arbo based his monumental painting The Wild Hunt of Odin on Norse mythology, archaeological excavations and the National Romantic poetry of the day. A major inspiration was Johan Sebastian Welhaven’s eponymous poem, whose opening line is “Through the nightly air stampedes a train of frothing black horses”. More on this work
For Peter Nicolai Arbo info please see below
Before there was soil, or sky, there was only the gaping abyss, Ginnungagap. This chaos of perfect silence and darkness lay between the homeland of elemental fire, Muspelheim, and the homeland of elemental ice, Niflheim.
Nicolai Abraham Abildgaard (September 11, 1743 – June 4, 1809) was a Danish neoclassical and royal history painter, sculptor, architect, and professor of painting, mythology, and anatomy at the New Royal Danish Academy of Art in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abildgaard had studied at the Academy from 1764 to 1767, then worked there as apprentice, and moved to Rome in 1772–1777, where he studied sculpture, architecture, decoration, frescoes and murals. He returned to the Academy in Copenhagen, promoted to professor in 1778, and elected as Academy Director during 1789–1791 and 1801–1809. He was also assigned as a royal artist/decorator during 1780 to 1805. Abildgaard was married twice, in 1781 and 1803. More on Nicolai Abraham Abildgaard
As the frost continued to melt, a cow, Audhumbla, emerged from it. She nourished Ymir with her milk, and she, in turn, was nourished by salt-licks in the ice. Her licks slowly uncovered Burii, the first of the Aesir tribe of gods. Buri had a son named Bor, who married Bestla, the daughter of the giant Bolthorn. The half-god, half-giant children of Bor and Bestla were Odin, who became the chief of the Aesir gods, and his two brothers, Vili and Ve...
The name Askr Yggdrasils means “the ash tree of the horse of Yggr.” Yggrmeans is also the byname of Odin. The horse of Odin is Sleipnir.
The tree as a means of transportation between worlds is a common theme in Eurasian shamanism. Odin rides Sleipnir up and down Yggdrasil’s trunk and through its branches on his frequent journeys throughout the Nine Worlds.
Niflheim, the primordial world of ice
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James Doyle Penrose RHA JP (9 May 1862 – 2 January 1932) was a well known portrait artist, sculptor and painter of religious subjects born in County Wicklow, Ireland. He was a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy. He came from a family of prosperous Quakers and was formally trained in London at two Royal Academy of Arts schools: St John's Wood Art School and the Royal College of Art in South Kensington.
Frost from Niflheim and flames from Muspelheim crept toward each other until they met in Ginnungagap, the ayss. Amid the hissing and sputtering, the fire melted the ice, and the drops formed themselves into Ymir, the first of the godlike giants. Ymir was a hermaphrodite and could reproduce asexually; when he sweated, more giants were born.
A Norse mythology image from the 18th century Icelandic manuscript "NKS 1867 4to", now in the care of the Danish Royal Library.
Nicolai Abraham Abildgaard, (1743–1809)
Auðumbla, Date 1790
37 × 45.5 cm (14.6 × 17.9 in)
Statens Museum for Kunst
In Norse mythology, Auðumbla is a primeval cow. The primordial frost jötunn Ymir fed from her milk, and over the course of three days she licked away the salty rime rocks and revealed Búri, grandfather of the gods and brothers Odin, Vili and Vé. The creature is solely attested in the Prose Edda, composed in the 13th century by Icelander Snorri Sturluson. Scholars identify her as stemming from a very early stratum of Germanic mythology, and ultimately belonging to larger complex of primordial bovines or cow-associated goddesses. More on Auðumbla
Abildgaard had studied at the Academy from 1764 to 1767, then worked there as apprentice, and moved to Rome in 1772–1777, where he studied sculpture, architecture, decoration, frescoes and murals. He returned to the Academy in Copenhagen, promoted to professor in 1778, and elected as Academy Director during 1789–1791 and 1801–1809. He was also assigned as a royal artist/decorator during 1780 to 1805. Abildgaard was married twice, in 1781 and 1803. More on Nicolai Abraham Abildgaard
As the frost continued to melt, a cow, Audhumbla, emerged from it. She nourished Ymir with her milk, and she, in turn, was nourished by salt-licks in the ice. Her licks slowly uncovered Burii, the first of the Aesir tribe of gods. Buri had a son named Bor, who married Bestla, the daughter of the giant Bolthorn. The half-god, half-giant children of Bor and Bestla were Odin, who became the chief of the Aesir gods, and his two brothers, Vili and Ve...
Yggdrasil
At the center of the Norse spiritual cosmos is an ash tree, Yggdrasil, which grows out of the Well of Urd. The Nine Worlds are held in the branches and roots of the tree.
The tree as a means of transportation between worlds is a common theme in Eurasian shamanism. Odin rides Sleipnir up and down Yggdrasil’s trunk and through its branches on his frequent journeys throughout the Nine Worlds.
Odin riding Sleipnir
18th-century Icelandic manuscript
In Norse mythology, Sleipnir is an eight-legged horse
John Bauer (1882–1918)
Odin and SleipnirThe Nine Worlds:
Midgard, the world of humanity
Midgard, also called Manna-Heim (“Home of Man”), in Norse mythology, the Middle Earth, the abode of mankind, made from the body of the first created being, the giant Aurgelmir (Ymir). According to legend, the gods killed Aurgelmir, rolled his body into the central void of the universe, and began fashioning the Midgard. Aurgelmir’s flesh became the land, his blood the oceans, his bones the mountains, his teeth the cliffs, his hair the trees, and his brains (blown over the earth) became the clouds. Aurgelmir’s skull was held up by four dwarfs, Nordri, Sudri, Austri, and Vestri (the four points of the compass), and became the dome of the heavens. The sun, moon, and stars were made of scattered sparks that were caught in the skull.
Edward Robert Hughes
Dream Idyll (A Valkyrie), c. 1902
Gouache and pastel on paper (stretched paper)
Height: 109.5 cm (43.1 in); Width: 79 cm (31.1 in)
Private collection
Sold for 866,500 USD in October 2009
Against an indigo sky, a nubile rider grasps the black wings of a flying steed, her body gleaming in the moonlight, her golden tresses let loose in the wind as she peers down at the stony structures of a city built along a river many miles below. Is this a goddess of antiquity, a fairy, a captured princess? This allusive, seductive, strange, Symbolist scene by Edward Robert Hughes immediately captivated audiences upon its 1902 exhibition at the London's Royal Watercolor Society. As The Builder's exhibition review exclaimed, "among the larger works of the year is one of importance, both in style and execution. It represents a kind of work seldom undertaken in water-colour and seldom seen at... the Society. This is Mr. E. R. Hughes' large and striking picture entitled 'A Dream Idyll'" (The Builder, p. 544). More on this painting
Edward Robert Hughes RWS (5 November 1851 – 23 April 1914) was an English painter who worked prominently in watercolours. He was influenced by his uncle, and eminent Pre-Raphaelite, Arthur Hughes. Having settled on his career choice, Edward Hughes attended Heatherley's in London to prepare himself for the chance of auditioning for the Royal Academy School. Hughes became a student at the Royal Academy School in 1868. While Pre-Raphaelitism played an influential part in shaping Hughes work, Aestheticism is also seen in his paintings.
Edward Hughes is widely known for his works Midsummer Eve and Night With Her Train of Stars yet he built a career as a portrait painter to the upper classes. In addition to being an accomplished artist himself, Edward Hughes was also a studio assistant to the elder artist and Pre-Raphaelite William Holman Hunt. Hunt himself suffered from glaucoma. Two of the paintings that Hughes worked on with Hunt were The Light of the World, and The Lady of Shalott. On his own he experimented with ambitious techniques and was a perfectionist.
Hughes held several important offices within the artistic community over his life time such as becoming a member of the Art Workers Guild in 1888, and was on their committee from 1895–1897. He was elected to Associate Membership of The Royal Water Colour Society (ARWS) on February 18, 1891.
Edward Hughes moved to St Albans, Hertfordshire, where he was later stricken with appendicitis; he died after surgery on April 23, 1914 in his home. More on Edward Robert Hughes
Midgard is situated halfway between Niflheim on the north, the land of ice, and Muspelheim to the south, the region of fire. Midgard is joined with Asgard, the abode of the deities, by Bifrost, the rainbow bridge.
Edward Hughes is widely known for his works Midsummer Eve and Night With Her Train of Stars yet he built a career as a portrait painter to the upper classes. In addition to being an accomplished artist himself, Edward Hughes was also a studio assistant to the elder artist and Pre-Raphaelite William Holman Hunt. Hunt himself suffered from glaucoma. Two of the paintings that Hughes worked on with Hunt were The Light of the World, and The Lady of Shalott. On his own he experimented with ambitious techniques and was a perfectionist.
Hughes held several important offices within the artistic community over his life time such as becoming a member of the Art Workers Guild in 1888, and was on their committee from 1895–1897. He was elected to Associate Membership of The Royal Water Colour Society (ARWS) on February 18, 1891.
Edward Hughes moved to St Albans, Hertfordshire, where he was later stricken with appendicitis; he died after surgery on April 23, 1914 in his home. More on Edward Robert Hughes
Midgard is situated halfway between Niflheim on the north, the land of ice, and Muspelheim to the south, the region of fire. Midgard is joined with Asgard, the abode of the deities, by Bifrost, the rainbow bridge.
Asgard, Old Norse Ásgardr, in Norse mythology, the dwelling place of the gods, comparable to the Greek Mount Olympus. Legend divided Asgard into 12 or more realms, including Valhalla, the home of Odin and the abode of heroes slain in earthly battle; Thrudheim, the realm of Thor; and Breidablik, the home of Balder.
Each important god had his own palace in Asgard, and many Germanic peoples believed that these mansions were similar in design to those of their own nobility. Asgard could be reached from earth only by the bridge Bifrost (the rainbow).
Edward Robert Hughes (1851–1914)
The Valkyrie's Vigil, c. 1906
Watercolor and gold paint on whatman paper
101.8 x 73.7 cms | 40 x 29 ins
I have no further description, at this time
Usually depicted as warlike and strong, the Pre-Raphaelite-influenced works of Frederick Sandys and Edward Robert Hughes shows them in a more delicate, feminine light.
Hughes’ Valkyrie is contemplative. Her face is sorrowful and the misty blue overtones of the painting create a supernatural atmosphere. It is a beautiful yet somber work that indicates she does not take her duty lightly, she feels the weight of the souls she has helped to transport. More on this painting
Hughes depicts the dreadful Norse war goddess in an ethereal fairy painting: barefoot, clad in a sheer off-the-shoulder gown, and softly lit from above. Her martial aspects are de-emphasized: she tucks her helmet into the crook of her arm and holds her sword by the ricasso (the blunt section just beyond the crossguard). Of the chooser of the warrior slain in battle, of the scavenging wolf and raven, there is no trace. More on this painting
Edward Robert Hughes (1851–1914), see above
Vanaheim, the world of the Vanir tribe of gods and goddesses
I have no further description, at this time
Vanaheimr, "home of the Vanir", is the home of the Vanir, a group of gods associated with fertility, wisdom, and the ability to see the future. The Vanir are masters of sorcery and magic. They are also widely acknowledged for their talent to predict the future. Nobody knows where exactly Vanaheim is located, or even how it looks like. More on Vanaheim
Arthur Rackham (19 September 1867 – 6 September 1939) was an English book illustrator. Rackham was born in Lewisham. In 1884, at the age of 17, he was sent on an ocean voyage to Australia to improve his fragile health. At the age of 18, he worked as a clerk at the Westminster Fire Office and began studying part-time at the Lambeth School of Art.
In 1892, he left his job and started working for the Westminster Budget as a reporter and illustrator. His first book illustrations were published in 1893 in To the Other Side by Thomas Rhodes, but his first serious commission was in 1894 for The Dolly Dialogues, the collected sketches of Anthony Hope, who later went on to write The Prisoner of Zenda. Book illustrating then became Rackham's career for the rest of his life.
By the turn of the century Rackham was regularly contributing illustrations to children's periodicals. Although acknowledged as an accomplished book illustrator for some years, it was the publication of Washington Irving's Rip Van Winkle by Heinemann in 1905 that particularly brought him into public attention, his reputation being confirmed the following year with J.M.Barrie's Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, published by Hodder & Stoughton. Rackham won a gold medal at the Milan International Exhibition in 1906 and another one at the Barcelona International Exposition in 1912. His works were included in numerous exhibitions, including one at the Louvre in Paris in 1914. More on Arthur Rackham
Arthur Rackham (1867–1939)
The Rhinegold & the Valkyrie
Brünnhilde slowly and silently leads her horse down the path to the cave,
by Richard Wagner
"Brünnhilde slowly and silently leads her horse down the path to the cave", from The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie (1910), an illustrated edition of of Richard Wagner's opera The Rhinegold, which is the first in Wagner's cycle of four music dramas titled The Ring of the Nibelung.
In 1892, he left his job and started working for the Westminster Budget as a reporter and illustrator. His first book illustrations were published in 1893 in To the Other Side by Thomas Rhodes, but his first serious commission was in 1894 for The Dolly Dialogues, the collected sketches of Anthony Hope, who later went on to write The Prisoner of Zenda. Book illustrating then became Rackham's career for the rest of his life.
By the turn of the century Rackham was regularly contributing illustrations to children's periodicals. Although acknowledged as an accomplished book illustrator for some years, it was the publication of Washington Irving's Rip Van Winkle by Heinemann in 1905 that particularly brought him into public attention, his reputation being confirmed the following year with J.M.Barrie's Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, published by Hodder & Stoughton. Rackham won a gold medal at the Milan International Exhibition in 1906 and another one at the Barcelona International Exposition in 1912. His works were included in numerous exhibitions, including one at the Louvre in Paris in 1914. More on Arthur Rackham
Peter Nicolai Arbo (1831–1892)
Dagr, c. 1874
Oil on canvas
I have no further description, at this time
Dagr is the son of the god Dellingr and is associated with the bright-maned horse Skinfaxi, who "draw[s] day to mankind". More on Dagr
Peter Nicolai Arbo (June 18, 1831 –
October 14, 1892) was a Norwegian
historical painter, who specialized in painting motifs from Norwegian history
and images from Norse mythology. He is most noted for Asgårdsreien, a dramatic
motif based on the Wild Hunt legend and Valkyrie, which depicts a female figure
from Norse mythology. More on Peter Nicolai Arbo
James Doyle Penrose (1862-1932)
Freyja and the Necklace, c. 1890
Oil on canvas
I have no further description, at this time
When Freyja wanted to buy a golden necklace forged by four dwarves, she offered them gold and silver but they replied that they would only sell it to her if she would lie a night by each of them. She came home afterward with the necklace and kept silent as if nothing happened. But a man called Loki somehow knew it, and came to tell Odin. King Odin commanded Loki to steal the necklace, so Loki turned into a fly to sneak into Freyja's bower and stole it. When Freyja found her necklace missing, she came to ask king Odin. In exchange for it, Odin ordered her to make two kings, each served by twenty kings, fight forever unless some christened men so brave would dare to enter the battle and slay them. She said yes, and got that necklace back. Under the spell, king Högni and king Heðinn battled for one hundred and forty-three years, as soon as they fell down they had to stand up again and fight on. But in the end, the Christian lord Olaf Tryggvason, who has a great fate and luck, arrived with his christened men, and whoever slain by a Christian would stay dead. Thus the pagan curse was finally dissolved by the arrival of Christianity. After that, the noble man, king Olaf, went back to his realm. More on Freyja and the Necklace
Freya (Old Norse Freyja, “Lady”) is one of the preeminent goddesses in Norse mythology. She’s a member of the Vanir tribe of deities, but became an honorary member of the Aesir gods after the Aesir-Vanir War. Her father is Njord. Her mother is unknown, but could be Nerthus. Her husband, named Odr in late Old Norse literature, is certainly none other than Odin, and, accordingly, Freya is ultimately identical with Odin’s wife Frigg.
Freya is famous for her fondness of love, fertility, beauty, and fine material possessions. More on Freyja
Avery Annarose
Jotunheim, the world of the giants
I have no further description, at this time
Jotunheim (Jǫtunheimr) is the home of the jotuns (giants). They are the sworn enemies of the Aesir. Jotunheim consist mostly of rocks, wilderness and dense forests, so the giants lives from the fish in the rivers, and the animals in the forest, because there is no fertile land in Jotunheim. The whole world was created from the corpse of the first Jotun, named Ymir. It was Odin and his brothers Vili and Ve, who killed Ymir.
The Jotuns and the Aesir are constantly fighting, but it also happens from time to time, that love affairs will occur. Odin, Thor and a few others, had lovers who were Jotuns. Loki also came from Jotunheim, but he was accepted by the Aesir and lived in Asgard. More on Jotunheim
I have no further description, at this time
Niflheim, Old Norse Niflheimr, in Norse mythology, the cold, dark, misty world of the dead, ruled by the goddess Hel. In some accounts it was the last of nine worlds, a place into which evil men passed after reaching the region of death (Hel). Situated below one of the roots of the world tree, Yggdrasill, Niflheim contained a well, Hvergelmir, from which many rivers flowed. In the Norse creation story, Niflheim was the misty region north of the void (Ginnungagap) in which the world was created. More on Niflheim
Mythical Creatures List
Muspelheim, the primordial world of fire
I have no further description, at this time
Muspelheim, is a hot, bright, glowing land in the south, guarded by Surt, the fire giant. In the beginning, according to one tradition, the warm air from this region melted the ice of the opposite region, Niflheim, thus giving form to Aurgelmir (Ymir), the father of the evil giants. Sparks from Muspelheim became the Sun, Moon, and stars. At the doom of the gods (Ragnarök), the sons of Muspelheim, led by Surt, will destroy the world by fire. More on Muspelheim
PlaysWithWolves, "I am an evolutionary biologist (education only) and a subway train operator (job). Born in northern Sweden as Scandinavian of Sámi and Swedish (maternal) and of Icelandic (paternal) descent, I've lived most of my life in Germany." More on PlaysWithWolves
August Malmström (1829–1901)
Älvalek/ Dancing Fairies, c. 1866
Alfheim, the world of the elves
Oil on canvas
height: 900 mm (35.43 in); width: 1,490 mm (58.66 in)
Nationalmuseum
Johan August Malmström (14 October 1829 – 18 October 1901) was a Swedish painter. As an artist, he was known for his country motifs often featuring children. His most widely recognized work is Grindslanten (1885) featuring a typical scene from 19th-century Sweden. Influenced by the national romanticism of Gothicismus, he also collected motives from Norse mythology. He made illustrations for publications of both Frithiofs saga and The Tales of Ensign Stål.
Malmström was a professor, and later manager at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts. Malmström also worked as an illustrator for several newspapers and book publishers. Additionally, Malmström designed furniture, worked as a pattern drawer and was a designer for Gustavsberg porcelain. More on Johan August Malmström
Alfheim, "Land Of The Fairies", is one of the Nine Worlds and home of the Light Elves in Norse mythology.
Theodor Kittelsen
Soria Moria Palace, c. 1900
Oil on canvas
Height: 46 cm, Width: 69 cm
The new National Museum, Oslo
Theodor Severin Kittelsen (27 April 1857 – 21 January 1914) wasone of the most popular artists in Norway. Kittelsen became famous for his nature paintings, as well as for his illustrations of fairy tales and legends, especially of trolls.
In 1882, Kittelsen was granted a state scholarship to study in Paris, though he would return to Munich at his own expense by the following year. In 1887, he returned to Norway for good, where he would find inspiration in the surrounding nature. He spent the next two years in Lofoten.
Kittelsen and his family settled in a home and artist studio which he called Lauvlia near Prestfoss in 1899, where he would spend his best artistic years. During this period, Kittelsen was hired to illustrate Norwegian Folktales by the Norwegian folklore collectors Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe. In 1908 he was made Knight of The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. However, he was forced to sell and leave Lauvlia in 1910 due to failing health. Kittelsen was granted an artist’s stipend in 1911; he died in Jeløya in 1914. More on Theodor Severin Kittelsen
Svartalfheim, the world of the dwarves
I have no further description, at this time
Svartalfheim is the home of the dark elves. The dark elves hate the sun so they live in the murky underground. They are hideous and can be of a annoyance to the humans. More on Svartalfheim
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René Heeres
Niflheim, the world of the eponymous goddess Hel and the dead
This cold, dark and misty abode of the dead is located on the lowest level of the Norse universe. No one can ever leave this place, because of the impassable river Gjoll that flows from the spring Hvergelmir and encircles Helheim. Once they enter Helheim, not even the gods can leave. Those who die of old age or disease, and those not killed in battle, go to Helheim while those who die bravely on the battlefield go to Valhalla.
The entrance to Helheim is guarded by Garm, a monstrous hound, and Modgud. The giant Hraesvelg ("corpse eater") sits at the edge of the world, overlooking Helheim. In the form of an eagle with flapping wings he makes the wind blow. More on Niflheim
Hel is a giantess and goddess in Norse mythology who rules over Helheim, the underworld where the dead dwell. She’s the daughter of Loki and the giant Angrboða, and therefore the sister of the wolf Fenrir and the world serpent, Jormungand. More on Hel
René Heeres is an artist that works in art, visual arts, abstract, art style, colourfull, high art, unusual art, expressive use of colours, oilpainting, oil on canvas, photography, kunst, fotografie, beeldende kunst, art for sale, kunst te koop, kunst kopen, expressionistisch, expressionistische kunst, exotic, tekeningen, tekenen, professioneel kunstenaar, drawings, outstanding art, interesting art, interessante kunst, quality art, photography, photo, blog about art, blog over kunst, contemporary art, moderne kunst, edda, eddah, Noordse mythologie, mythology,digitale fotografie, digital photography, landschaps fotografie, landscape photography. More on René Heeres
James Doyle Penrose (1862–1932)
Idun and the Apples/ Iduna, Daughter of Svald
Oil on canvas
height: 49 in (124.4 cm); width: 69 in (175.2 cm)
Private collection
Estimated for $30,000 USD - $50,000 USD in May 2013
In Norse mythology, Iðunn is a goddess associated with apples and youth. Iðunn is attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson. In both sources, she is described as the wife of the skaldic god Bragi, and in the Prose Edda, also as a keeper of apples and granter of eternal youthfulness. More on Iðunn
James Doyle Penrose RHA JP (9 May 1862 – 2 January 1932) was a well known portrait artist, sculptor and painter of religious subjects born in County Wicklow, Ireland. He was a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy. He came from a family of prosperous Quakers and was formally trained in London at two Royal Academy of Arts schools: St John's Wood Art School and the Royal College of Art in South Kensington.
Penrose left Ireland with his father and family about 1890 to settle in Hertfordshire near London. He exhibited his work regularly at the Royal Academy of Arts in London from the 1890s until 1927. He travelled extensively in Canada.
He died in Bognor Regis on Saturday 2 January 1932. More on James Doyle Penrose
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