Arthur Rackham Arthur Rackham - Stories of the Edda: The death of Balder, 1901
pencil, ink and watercolor on cardboard
29 x 39,5 cm
Original illustration made by Rackham for the black and white publication of "Stories of the Edda: The Gods of Asgard" accompanying chapter IX, entitled "The Death of Balder, " first published in the English magazine Little Folks Magazine in 1901. This work was later reprinted in volume form in "The Land of Enchantment, " page 137, accompanying the text "There Broke Forth a Wailing and a Lamentation, " by Cassell and Company in 1907. The stories of the Edda are the main tales of Norse mythology, in which the deeds of the Norse Gods are first recounted. This work depicts the death of Baldr, the second son of Odin and Frigg (associated with light, beauty, and goodness), at the hands of his blind brother Hoor, who was deceived by Loki; it represents the beginning of the decline that will lead to Ragnarok, the end of the world. As in many other cases, Rackham decided to watercolor the work, presumably for an exhibition, and updated the date to 1904. Small losses at the corners and slight abrasions at the edges. A museum piece. Signed and dated.
Dimensions
29 x 39,5 cm
pencil, ink and watercolor on cardboard
29 x 39,5 cm
Original illustration made by Rackham for the black and white publication of "Stories of the Edda: The Gods of Asgard" accompanying chapter IX, entitled "The Death of Balder, " first published in the English magazine Little Folks Magazine in 1901. This work was later reprinted in volume form in "The Land of Enchantment, " page 137, accompanying the text "There Broke Forth a Wailing and a Lamentation, " by Cassell and Company in 1907. The stories of the Edda are the main tales of Norse mythology, in which the deeds of the Norse Gods are first recounted. This work depicts the death of Baldr, the second son of Odin and Frigg (associated with light, beauty, and goodness), at the hands of his blind brother Hoor, who was deceived by Loki; it represents the beginning of the decline that will lead to Ragnarok, the end of the world. As in many other cases, Rackham decided to watercolor the work, presumably for an exhibition, and updated the date to 1904. Small losses at the corners and slight abrasions at the edges. A museum piece. Signed and dated.
Dimensions
29 x 39,5 cm
