"Vow of the Jomsvikings" by Leon Goodman (now sold 8/1/13 - Offer accepted))

£5,850.00

 STUNNING HUGE NEW ORIGINAL OIL PAINTING ON CANVAS "Vow of the Jomsvikings" .............

 

 

 

                 "Vow of the Jomsvikings" by Leon Goodman

 

This Absolute Masterpiece Large historic painting "Vow of the Jomsvikings" a call to arms by King Svein to the Jomsvikings that then led to the historic Battle of Hjörungavágr that took place in 986 A.D of the coast of Norway at Hareidlandet.

King Svein made a magnificent feast, to which he invited all the chiefs in his dominions; for he would give the succession-feast, or the heirship-ale, after his father Harald Bluetooth. A short time before, Strutharald in Skane, and Vesete in Bornholm, father to Bue the Thick and to Sigurd, had died; and King Svein sent word to the Jomsborg vikings that Earl Sigvalde and Bue, and their brothers, should come to him, and drink the funeral-ale for their fathers in the same feast the king was giving.

 

The Jomsborg vikings came to the festival with their bravest men with 60 ships!!!!!

The Jomsborg vikings came to the festival with their bravest men, forty ships of them from Vindland, and twenty ships from Skane. Great was the multitude of people assembled. The first day of the feast, before King  Svein went up into his father's high-seat, he drank the bowl to his father's memory, and made the solemn vow, that before three winters were past he would go over with his army to England, and either kill King Adalrad (Ethelred), or chase him out of the country. This heirship bowl all who were at the feast drank. Thereafter for the chiefs of the Jomsborg vikings was filled and drunk the largest horn to be found, and of the strongest drink. When that bowl was emptied, all men drank Christ's health; and again the fullest measure and the strongest drink were handed to the Jomsborg vikings. The third bowl was to the memory of Saint Michael, which was drunk by all. Thereafter Earl Sigvalde emptied a remembrance bowl to his father's honour, and made the solemn vow, that before three winters came to an end he would go to Norway, and either kill Earl Hakon, or chase him out of the country. Thereupon Thorkel the Tall, his brother, made a solemn vow to follow his brother Sigvalde to Norway, and not flinch from the battle so long as Sigvalde would fight there. Then Bue the Thick vowed to follow them to Norway, and not flinch so long as the other Jomsborg vikings fought. At last Vagn Akason vowed that he would go  with them to Norway, and not return until he had slain Thorkel Leira, and gone to bed to his daughter Ingebjorg without her friends' consent.

This Jomsviking has "Death" written in runes on his longsword!!!

Many other chiefs made solemn vows about different things. Thus was the heirship-ale drunk that day, but the next morning, when the Jomsborg vikings had slept off their drink, they thought they had spoken more than enough. They held a meeting to consult how they should proceed with their undertaking, and they determined to fit out as speedily as possible for the expedition; and without delay ships and men-at-arms were prepared, and the news spread quickly.

The painting has adhered to classical renaissance standards in as much as the famous french neoclassical painter Jean Ingres stated when he was asked what was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in painting - Juxtapositioning 2 colours almost the same!! It can be seen there is beauty in this juxtapostion. Gustav Dore excelled at juxtapositioning huge figures with small figures as can be seen with Jomsvikings celebrating in the recesses of the huge oak hall!! As in many Goodman paintings there are many vignettes. The Jomsviking in the bottom left is trying to cool down the ever maddening Berserker Viking who is flaying his arms around!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 The Legendary Jomsvking Vagn Akason in blue vows to join King Svein!! To the right is Sigvaldi with red cloak and hammer making the same vow!!!! If you look closely at Vagn's arms they are heavily tattooed. Islamic scholars in Constantinople have recorded that these mighty Norsemen were often heavily tattooed!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Leon Goodman has been a professional artist for the majority of his working life. His work has been sold at The Omell Gallery, Ascot, as well as Christies, the fine art auction house in London. Many of his works have sold for thousands of pounds to the U.S.A. Since seeing his work, Risborough Art Gallery have made him a regularly featured artist. Leon’s philosophy is that it is not the delineation of the subject which is important, but its fragmentation. He believes a strictly photographic image does not allow the viewer to participate in the painting. If the image is fragmented, the viewer can imagine for himself the missing parts and involve himself in the creation of the whole image. The viewer has seen his own interpretation of the fragmented images; the next viewer may see something different.

Powered by eBay Turbo Lister

Pay instantly with your debit or credit card through PayPal.