Affiche voor Die Walküre van Richard Wagner (1893)

The painting titled "Affiche voor Die Walküre van Richard Wagner" by Eugène Grasset, crafted in 1893, is a visually striking work that merges elements of mythology and vibrant artistic expression. This compelling illustration was intended as a promotional poster for Richard Wagner's opera "Die Walküre," the second of the famed four-opera cycle "Der Ring des Nibelungen."The artwork evokes a dramatic and otherworldly atmosphere, characteristic of Wagner’s opera, which delves into themes of destiny, power, and sacrifice. The central figure in the painting is a majestic, heavily-bearded man draped in elaborate armor, raising his arms in a gesture that suggests power and invocation. This figure is Wotan, king of the gods, who is invoking a magic fire in the scene depicted. Beneath Wotan, a warrior woman lies sleeping, surrounded by a river of fire. This is Brünnhilde, Wotan’s daughter, who he puts to sleep with a protective circle of fire, ensuring that only the bravest of heroes can awaken her.Grasset's use of vivid orange tones for the magic fire contrasts with the cold hues of the background and the detailed, somber tones of the figures, accentuating the fantastical element of the scene. The swirling forms of the fire and dramatic poses add to the intense and dynamic composition, capturing the emotional depth and complexity of Wagner's operatic narrative.