Who painted Valkyries?

Valkyries was painted by Unknown in 1871.

Where can I see Valkyries?

Valkyries is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Valkyries?

Valkyries is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Valkyries

Unknown , 1871

Valkyries is a photography by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1871 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1871 by the artist known as 238_person, "Valkyries" is an image in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work depicts two winged female figures mounted on a dark horse against a turbulent, indistinct sky. The composition balances a sense of motion with a muted, atmospheric backdrop, inviting viewers to contemplate the mythic scene.

Subject & Meaning

The piece draws on Norse mythology, presenting the legendary Valkyries as they ride a powerful steed. One figure brandishes a spear, suggesting a martial role, while the other gazes downward, perhaps indicating contemplation or guidance. The stormy sky and the horse’s tense musculature amplify the themes of destiny and the transition between life and death associated with these mythic choosers.

Technique & Style

Light catches the horse’s back, creating a subtle highlight that separates the animal from the dim surroundings.

The artist employs a soft, smudged palette that renders the scene both vivid and dreamlike. Light catches the horse’s back, creating a subtle highlight that separates the animal from the dim surroundings. Though the image is not a painting, the description references impasto—a technique of applying thick paint to reveal brushwork—suggesting that the visual effect aims to mimic the tactile quality of heavy brushstrokes.

History & Provenance

"Valkyries" entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings after its creation in the early 1870s, though the precise acquisition path is not detailed in the available records. Its presence in an ethnographic institution highlights the work’s relevance to cultural narratives and mythic symbolism rather than purely aesthetic considerations.