Odin

Sculpted by the Swedish artist Bengt Erland Fogelberg in 1830, Odin presents the chief god of Norse mythology as a monumental warrior and ruler.

The figure stands upright in full armour, holding a spear in one hand and a shield at his side. His long beard, stern expression and richly decorated helmet give the sculpture a solemn and commanding presence.

In Norse mythology, Odin was associated with war, wisdom, poetry, magic and the pursuit of knowledge. He was regarded as the ruler of the gods and one of the central figures of the old Norse belief system.

Fogelberg became known for combining subjects from Nordic mythology with the formal language of classical sculpture, giving figures such as Odin the grandeur of ancient Greek and Roman gods.

Carved in Carrara marble, Odin remains one of the most striking nineteenth-century interpretations of Norse mythology.