Loki thrusts himself forward in anger over not having been invited for Ægir's Feast 1822

Editor: Here we have Hermann Ernst Freund's bronze sculpture from 1822, depicting Loki furious about being uninvited to \u00c6gir's feast. The scale seems rather intimate, yet Loki's expression is anything but! I wonder, as a historian, what your interpretation of this piece might be? Curator: It's interesting to view this Loki as a product of its time. In the early 19th century, there was a Romantic fascination with Norse mythology and a revival of interest in folklore. It appears in part related to nationalistic tendencies as many European nations grappled with defining their identities. Editor: That's fascinating! How does that affect the way we view this figure of Loki, who’s traditionally known for trickery? Curator: Exactly. He is presented as driven by wounded pride rather than pure malice. Notice the way he's leaning forward, his hand to his face; Freund emphasizes human emotions over divine detachment. To me, this piece exemplifies a trend of appropriating mythology to address contemporary social dynamics of inclusion and exclusion. Editor: So it's less about Norse mythology and more about the societal dynamics being reflected in the art of the period? Curator: Precisely! And the decision to use bronze for sculpture? This ties in with Neoclassical values where strength, virility, reason were valued in part through use of classicizing materials, forms and images.. Who gets to have a seat at the table, so to speak. Does that provide some further food for thought? Editor: Definitely. It changes my understanding of what Freund may have been trying to convey by immortalizing Loki in bronze at that particular moment in time. Thank you for this eye-opening explanation. Curator: You’re very welcome. Thinking about art through its historical and societal context really expands our view!