Balder og Frigga 1850 - 1908

Lorenz Frølich created this drawing of Balder and Frigga using pen and ink. Dominating the composition is the maternal figure of Frigga, and the fallen figure of Balder. This is heavy with Norse mythology, steeped in symbols of fate and protection. Consider Frigga’s outstretched hand, a gesture of offering, and the scene below of Balder laid out. One is reminded of other protective deities throughout history. Think of the Greek Demeter, who is often depicted offering grain, or the Hindu goddess Durga, a warrior with multiple arms, each holding a protective weapon. They, like Frigga, embody the power of the divine feminine, a beacon of hope amidst human tragedy. Yet these gestures can only delay what is inevitable. The motif of death recurs here, and the cycle of death and rebirth touches upon primal fears, the subconscious anxieties that haunt our collective memory. These images become vessels that carry emotional and cultural significance across centuries, a poignant reminder of our shared human experiences.