Brage 1767 - 1824

Andreas Flint created this image of "Brage" using engraving techniques. Flint made this artwork during a transformative period in European thought, as Enlightenment ideals were spreading and the concept of individuality was evolving. Here, Brage, a god from Norse mythology associated with poetry and music, is depicted in a classical style, reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman art. He is nude, posed gracefully with a harp, his figure embodying an idealized form. The inscription 'Danske Digtere,' or 'Danish Poets,' inscribed on the tree behind him suggests a desire to connect Norse mythology with Danish national identity. The image is charged with a longing to connect with a mythologized past, and to ground Danish cultural identity in these narratives. The artist invites viewers to feel a sense of cultural pride and to ponder the relationship between historical narratives and contemporary identity.