Art of the Mythological

[Belenus]

As much as I enjoy reading sagas, cycles, epic poems and metaphysical treatises, I think it's also important to stimulate the sense of vision with images of mythic heroes, cosmic battles, and divine forces. Art, whether primitive, classical, or modern, has a powerful sway over the human imagination and psyche.

Are there any pictures or films that have inspired you with pride in your ancestors and strengthened your conviction in sharing their beliefs?

The following works of art serve as inspiration for me whenever I consider the spirit of my folk (note: I won't bother naming the titles or artists, but if anyone wants to do that, that's fine):


Many aspects of Celtic lore and legend combined in one image.


The Fenian warrior Diarmuid and his lover Gráinne


Lugh rides to battle


Lugh versus Balor of the Evil Eye, king of the Fomorians (a race of giants)


Nuadhu Airgetlám of the Silver Hand, first High King of the Tuatha Dé Danann (the Irish gods)


Celtic heroes at the Second Battle of Mag Tuired


The divine army of the gods


Bloodthirsty Areadbhar, the Spear of Lugh, ever victorious in battle


The warrior-madness of Cúchulainn (i.e. the Celtic Berserkgangr)

[Magister Eckhart]

Interesting, if a little... modern for my tastes. I'm especially put off by the knowing and sensual look of Gráinne in the second painting; it seems to rather debase the whole character.

The first image I've seen before, I think the Celtic Metal band Cruachan uses it for the cover of their album Pagan.



I used to be really into them but to be honest the childish "all Christians are pedophiles and evil monsters" stuff in their music just seems adolescent and more than a little idiotic to me nowadays.

[Piparskeggr]

From a book my great grandfather Burke gave me as a young child...reading about Robin Hood was my first understandable (to me) expedition off into the Mythic.

[Piparskeggr]

Then later on, the 4 Branches as written by Evangeline Walton caught my eye...

[Osweo]

My God, most of them are so utterly dreadful and missing the point... UNICORNS!!???!!?

I liked Louis le Brocquy's illustrations for Kinsella's translation of the Tain Bo Cuailnge;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_l..._illustrations





Good thread, mind...

The warrior-madness of Cúchulainn (i.e. the Celtic Berserkgangr)

WTF????

Call THAT a 'warp spasm'?!?!!!!!? :nono:

THIS is Cuchulainn in Warp Spasm;

[Magister Eckhart]

My God, most of them are so utterly dreadful and missing the point... UNICORNS!!???!!?

I liked Louis le Brocquy's illustrations for Kinsella's translation of the Tain Bo Cuailnge;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_l..._illustrations





Good thread, mind...


WTF????

Call THAT a 'warp spasm'?!?!!!!!? :nono:

THIS is Cuchulainn in Warp Spasm;

I agree on the unicorns and comments about missing the point, but in all honesty are the Rorschach tests much better?

You know, it just occurred to me that the second image posted:


looks like a blatant rip-off of Gustav Klimt's style: