Poster for Richard Wagner’s Die Walküre; Affiche voor Die Walküre van Richard Wagner Eugene Grasset (1841-1917)

The composition presents a dramatic scene dominated by forceful lines and a limited color palette of pinks, creams, and blacks. A towering figure occupies much of the central space, his posture conveying both authority and agitation. He is depicted in profile, turned towards the left, with an intense gaze directed beyond the frame. His elaborate headdress, adorned with feathers or stylized horns, emphasizes his elevated status, likely that of a ruler or deity. The man’s attire consists of layered armor and decorative elements, suggesting power and martial prowess.
Below him lies a prone figure, seemingly defeated. Her head is tilted back, her expression unreadable but hinting at vulnerability. She wears an ornate helmet and what appears to be ceremonial garb, indicating a position of importance as well. A spear, held aloft by the standing figure, points downwards towards the fallen woman, reinforcing the narrative of dominance and subjugation.
The background features a stylized landscape with jagged peaks rendered in quick, expressive strokes. Flames lick upwards from the lower right corner, adding to the sense of turmoil and conflict. The foliage on the left side provides a contrasting element of natural growth against the backdrop of destruction.
Subtleties within the work suggest themes of power struggles, loss, and perhaps even betrayal. The contrast between the upright, assertive figure and the fallen woman implies an imbalance of power and a narrative of defeat. The flames could symbolize both destructive force and purification or transformation. The overall effect is one of heightened drama and emotional intensity, designed to capture the essence of a theatrical performance centered on conflict and mythology. The artist’s use of stark contrasts and dynamic lines contributes to a sense of urgency and impending action.