Description: This illustration is from the 1903 edition of Ernest
Edwin
Speight's Children of Odin that was first published
in 1901. The illustration depicts Gerðr greeting
Freyr 's
servant, Skirnir, who has come to woo her on his behalf.
The illustration is not signed but contains a monogram in the
lower right-hand corner for an artist whose name is not
known.
Source: Children of Odin
Folio or Page: 50
Medium: Not Known
Date: 1901
Dimensions (mm): 60 x 90
Provenance:
This illustration is from The
Children of Odin from the collection of P. A. Baer.
Rights:
This illustration from Children of
Odin is in the public domain.
Research notes, early print reviews, etc.:
Early Print Review of The Children of Odin:
"The book is copiously illustrated, but we cannot regard this as a merit, for
the artist, whose name is not given, has evidently little acquaintance with
Northern literature, and has read the letterpress very hurriedly and
carelessly." Review by A.F.M in Saga-Book III of the Viking Club. (London:
Private Printing of the Viking Society. 1903), 491. Accessed through
http://vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/ on 12 January 2022.
Bibliography:
Editions
Speight, E
E. Children of Odin.
London: H. Marshall ,
1903.
Secondary Sources
M., A.
F..
"Review of The Children of Odin by E. E. Speight" in
Saga-Book III of the Viking Club
London: Private Printing of the Viking
Society, 1903.
Laliberte,
Camille (en.)
b. 19th December 1998
Occupation: Research Assistant
Artist Not Known
Artist Not
Known
Artist not known for this illustration in Children of
Odin.
Giants and Giantesses
Gerðr (non.)
Gerdur (en.)
The giantess that Freyr falls in love with when he sits in Óðinn´s
high seat and glimpses her from afar. He sends his servant Skírnir to
woo her in exchange for giving his sword to Skírnir.
Gods and Goddesses
Freyr (non.)
A fertility god and one of the Vanir. He is the son of Njörðr and the
twin brother of Freyja.
Skírnir (non.)
Freyr´s servant who woos the giantess Gerðr on Freyr´s behalf in
exchange for Freyr´s sword.
Myths
The Wooing of
GerðrThis myth relates the story of Freyr falling in love
with the giantess, Gerðr, when he sit in Óðinn´s high seat and glimpses
her from afar. Freyr sends his servant Skírnir to woo Gerðr in exchange
for giving his sword to Skírnir. Consequently, Freyr will not have his
sword when he fights with Surtr at the Battle of Ragnarök.
Nouns
Edwardian (en.)The
Edwardian era began with the reign of King Edward VII, 1901 to 1910
(January 22, 1901 - 28 July, 1914). However, the era's end date is
sometimes extended to the beginning of World War 1 (28 July
1914).
Source Materials:
Children of Odin (en.)
Children's book by Ernest Edwin Speight published in 1901. The
illustrations in MyNDIR are from the second edition that was published
in 1903. Disambiguation: This book should not be confused with The Children of Odin by Padriac
Colum published in 1920 that was illustrated by Willy Pogany.
Source Persons
Speight, Ernest
Edwin (en.)
b. 6 December 1871
d. 17 September 1949
Nationality: English
Occupation: Author, Professor of English
Residence: Yorkshire, England
Ernest Edwin Speight, better known as E. E. Speight, was an English
professor who worked in India and Japan. He authored Children of Odin,
as well as numerous English textbooks. He was awarded the Fifth Class of
the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan for his services as
a teacher.
