Brunnhilde 1886

This is Odilon Redon’s print, Brunnhilde, a work imbued with the spirit of Wagnerian myth. We see Brunnhilde, a shieldmaiden of Norse legend, rendered with a somber intensity. The shield, prominently displayed, is more than mere defense; it is an emblem of her strength, courage, and the protective role she embodies. Shields appear across epochs and cultures, from ancient Greece to medieval Europe, always signifying protection, defense, and power. Consider the Greek hoplites with their aspis shields or the Roman legionaries with their scutum, each bearing symbols of their identity and collective will. Redon taps into this deep well of cultural memory, inviting us to contemplate Brunnhilde's inner world, her stoicism, and the weight of her responsibilities. It is a potent reminder of how symbols persist, evolve, and continue to resonate within the collective consciousness.