Chriemhilde Rouses the Huns to Fight the Burgundians c. 19th century

Curator: This print at the Harvard Art Museums is titled "Chriemhilde Rouses the Huns to Fight the Burgundians" by Carl Hermann Theodor Langer. Editor: It looks like organized chaos—a frieze almost. I'm struck by how the sharp lines and dramatic poses create this sense of impending violence. Curator: Indeed, Langer captures a key moment from the Nibelungenlied. You see Chriemhilde, consumed by vengeance, instigating the Huns to attack her own kin. I find it striking to consider the societal expectations put upon her and how her response defied those norms. Editor: Yes, and look at the scale. Though small, it mimics grand historical paintings, elevating this act of vengeance to epic proportions. You can almost feel the weight of the metal in the weapons and shields through the meticulous hatching. This is where craft becomes art. Curator: It’s a fascinating piece—a visualization of a powerful, rage-filled woman acting against a brutal, patriarchal world. Editor: Absolutely, and in that tension, it asks a lot about the cost of power, both in lives and in identity.