Banshee

Uncropped image from the auction site:

Wotan By Hermann Hendrich in 1919 Oil, 100 x 74 cm

Surtr fares from southward with switch-eating flame; On his sword shimmers the sun of the war-gods; The rocks are falling, and fiends are reeling, Heroes tread Hel-way, heaven is cloven. —Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur translation, The Edda

Thus soon came Sigurd the sword bearing to glad Valhöll greeting Ódin. There feasts he long at his father’s side, for War waiting, the World’s chosen. — J.R.R. Tolkien, The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún

“After all, I believe that legends and myths are largely made of ‘truth’, and indeed present aspects of it that can only be received in this mode; and long ago certain truths and modes of this kind were discovered and must always reappear.” JRR Tolkien letter 131 to Milt Waldman

From the isles of Yonder— Across bleak icy oceans— High on storm steeds— Astride of cloud wheels. To all sons of women— I bring high tidings— To the brave-born, gladness— To dastards, weeping. — Sayings of Redbeard

From 0:36 - 1:02 Tom Shippey reads his English translation of Bjarkamál. youtu.be/Uo4I2fTP_dI

“…many other of the ancient stars she gathered together and set as signs in the heavens of Arda: Wilwarin, Telumendil, Soronume, and Anarrima; and Menelmacar with his shining belt, that forebodes the Last Battle that shall be at the end of days." - JRR Tolkien, The Silmarillion

“Then by some shift of airs all the mist was drawn away like a veil, and there leaned up, as he climbed over the rim of the world, the Swordsman of the Sky, Menelvagor with his shining belt. The Elves all burst into song.” - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

The helm he lifted: hair fell shining, a woman lay there wound in slumber; fast her corslet as on flesh growing – the gleaming links, Gram there clave them. —J. R. R. Tolkien, from his alliterative poetic retelling in ‘The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún’ Johannes Gehrts:

The Scottish Chiefs ― N.C. Wyeth, 1921

A description of this flight, from the libretto: Black clouds settle thickly on the cliff; a rushing sound is heard in the wood. From the clouds breaks a vivid flash of lightning, by which the Valkyries are seen packed closely together, and riding wildly away with loose bridles.

Kay Nielsen concept art for an abandoned Fantasia sequel, that was to feature Wagner “Ride of the Valkyries.”

German artist Hermann Hendrich (1854-1931) at his Sagenhalle circa 1905. By 1945 it was all lost or destroyed.

Everyone will flee, endure, or love solitude in exact proportion to the worth of his own self. For in solitude the wretched man feels his entire wretchedness, the great spirit his entire greatness; in short, everyone feels himself as he truly is. Arthur Schopenhauer