| This carving from the door of a Norwegian stave church is an excellent example of Viking art, which flourished in Scandinavia from about 800 to 1050. Viking design emphasized intertwining, sinuous shapes, usually detailing animals and often including people. The Vikings incorporated legend into their art, in this case a portion of the legend of Siegfried (also known as Sigurd), a German warrior and hero who acquired fabulous treasure and slew dragons, only to die through the treachery of those nearest him. This carving illustrates the last hours of Siegfried’s mortal enemy, Gunther (also known as Gunnar), who plays a lute with his toes as he lies dying in a snake-pit. |
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