This lecture explores how Norse myths and legends have been portrayed in the decorative and fine arts over more than 1,300 years, to reveal quite how few depictions we have, and the sometimes sinister reasons we may not see them.

The talk begins with a brief overview of the pantheon of deities, the Norse creation story and Ragnarök, the twilight of the gods. It then looks at Viking-age representations in wood, stone and metalwork and the effect of Christianisation. It continues with the rediscovery of Norse Mythology in the 18th century in age gripped by romanticism, then 19th century paintings and sculpture created in a period of Scandinavian  nationalism.  Finally, the talk turns to the appropriation of mythological images by the Nazi regime and more recent re-interpretations of Thor, Odin, Loki and the Valkyries in cartoon, Manga and film as well as conceptual art. 

Works examined include paintings and illustrations by Henry Fuseli and William Blake, academic history paintings from Norway, Sweden and Denmark, 19th century sculpture, and 20th century works by Carl Larsson, Hilma af Klint and Anselm Kiefer.