Loki snd Sigyn

Eckersberg depicted this scene from Norse mythology after having won the Academy’s gold medal in 1809, shortly before he set out for Paris. The muscular male figure writhing in pain could be said to make this painting a counterpart to Abildgaard’s The Wounded Philoctetes [105]. The choice of motif should presumably be regarded in the context of his teacher’s recent death; Eckersberg would have known that it would be wise to position himself as Abildgaard’s successor. Loki does not have the dynamic strength of Abildgaard’s Philoctetes; instead he lies prostrate, vulnerable and defenceless. He has been punished by the Norse gods, the Aesir: chained to the rocks while the painful venom of a snake drips onto his face. His wife Sigyn seeks to alleviate his pain by catching the venom, but every time she needs to empty the vessel he is struck by venomous drops that cause him searing pain.