Studio: international art (22.1901)

Norse Mythology Illustrations

of coldness, heat and spirit (water, fire and air).
Molkenboer represents the line of water by a blue
wavy line, the line of thought by a gold one
with a knot in it, the line of fire by a curling red
one, all of which are found used frequently in his
ornaments.

The worlds of coldness and of heat are repre-
sented by squares (which mean solidity), that of
spirit by a circle (which means infinity). On
these principles more complicated motives are
constructed, and existing shapes from nature are
used. Thus we see designs representing two
birds, the principle of coldness, water, life, love;

" SHIELD OF STARK AD, THE OBEDIENT"

I1Y ANTOON MOLKENBOER

three birds flying in the air—the principle of
spirit, inspiration, sublimity ; a bird fighting a
snake (page 182)—the principle of heat, fire, battle
and death.

And from these principles ornamental shapes of
the three chief gods of Norse mythology are derived
—Thor, god of love and festivity; Odin, the god of
inspiration ; Loki, the god of battle.

One of Molkenboer's compositions shows us
the coming together of the three principles from
which the tree of life arises (page 181). We see
the mingling of the three elements, and at the same
time we perceive Life and Death in the shape of a
snake gnawing at the root of the tree Ygdrasil.





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