Description: This scene is from the first edition of Julia
Goddard's Wonderful Stories from Northern Lands. The
illustration depicts a scene from Goddard’s retelling of the
medieval ballad, Harpans kraft that was sung in Denmark, Norway,
Sweden and Iceland. The narrative concerns a man whose bride
falls into a river. He plays his harp to save her from a
supernatural creature that is variously described as a merman, a
troll, or a neck (nix).
Source: Wonderful Stories from Northern Lands
Folio or Page: [117]
Medium: Engraved by G. Pearson
Date: 1871
Dimensions (mm): 80 x 140
Provenance:
This illustration is from Wonderful Stories from Northern Lands in the collection
of the National and University Library of Iceland.
Rights:
This illustration from Wonderful Stories from
Northern Lands is in the public domain.
Research notes, early print reviews, etc.:
Bibliography:
Editions
Goddard,
Julia. Wonderful Stories from Northern Lands.
London: Longmans, Green, and Co
, 1871.
Victorian (en.)The
Victorian era began with the reign of Queen Victoria and ended with her
death (June 20, 1837 – January 22, 1901).
Source Materials:
Harpans Kraft (non.)
The Power of the Harp (en.)
A medieval ballad sung in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland
concerning a man whose bride falls into a river. He plays his harp to
save her from a supernatural creature that is variously described as a
merman, a troll, or a neck (nix).
Goddard,
Julia (en.)
b. 11th July 1825
d. 30th September 1896
Nationality: British
Julia Goddard was a British children's writer, animal rights activist,
journalist and artist. She wrote over 25 books in her lifetime.
Weigand,
W.J. (en.)
b. Unknown
d. Unknown
Nationality: British
Illustrator and draughtsman whose work was published in many London
magazines.