The Last Free Dawn of Fenrir

In Norse mythology, Fenrir is the son of Loki and the wolf destined to kill Odin during the last battle of Ragnarök. Fenrir grew so big that the gods feared him, so they goaded him into allowing them to bind him to test his strength. He broke all fetters, until the dwarves made a ribbon from things which don't exist and can't be touched.

In order to persuade the wolf to allow the gods to bind him with the last, magical fetter, Týr betrayed Fenrir. He promised to free him if he couldn't break the binding, and agreed to put his hand in Fenrir's mouth to show trust. When Fenrir couldn't break free, the gods refused to release him, and the wolf bit off Týr's hand for his treachery. The gods then left Fenrir bound, and his anger grew and grew, to be unleased upon his enemies during the events of Ragnarök.

In this painting, Fenrir is settling down during his last free dawn, unaware that by dusk the gods would have taken his freedom through an act of deceit and betrayal, brought about by their fear, and causing a self-fulfilling prophecy of destruction.

"The Last Free Dawn of Fenrir".
Oil on canvas.
by Angela Louise McGurk, 2021.

Copyright @ A L McGurk 2021.
It is illegal to edit, sell, or reproduce this artwork without the artist's written permission.

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Valhalla

Valhalla is Odin's hall, where half of those who die in battle, and who are chosen by the Valkyries, go to train for Ragnarök. A goat and stag stand on it's roof, and inside the slain warriors fight, fall, and then feast together. " Valhalla ". Acrylic on canvas. by Angela Louise McGurk, 2018. Copyright @ A L McGurk 2018. It is illegal to edit, sell, or reproduce this artwork without the artist's written permission. " Valhalla ". Acrylic on canvas. by Angela Louise McGurk, 2018. Copyright @ A L McGurk 2018. It is illegal to edit, sell, or reproduce this artwork without the artist's written permission.

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