Wotan’s Farewell To Brunhilde 

Ferdinand Leeke created the painting “Wotan’s Farewell To Brunhilde,” during a period in Europe when there was a surge of interest in folklore and mythology. Leeke situates us within a narrative pulled from Norse legend. Here we have a man, Wotan, who is both a father and a God, saying farewell to his daughter, Brunhilde. She is a Valkyrie, a female figure who is often depicted choosing who will live and die in battle. Brunhilde is being punished for disobeying Wotan’s orders, and is placed in a deep sleep inside a ring of fire. Leeke’s image is tender, as Wotan cradles Brunhilde, his hand protectively clasping her breastplate. The painting is less about any specifics of the narrative and more about the relationship between a father and daughter and the pain of familial separation. The cultural context in which Leeke created “Wotan’s Farewell To Brunhilde” was one seeking to create a sense of unified national identity through shared cultural narratives. We can also see the influence of the pre-Raphaelites, as the artist evokes strong emotional and relational connections through a visually beautiful rendering.