Thor's Fight with the Giants – Mårten Eskil Winge (1872)

The god of thunder, hammer raised. In a sky torn by lightning, Thor stands in his chariot in a red tunic, his belt of strength around his waist, and raises his hammer Mjölnir above his head. His black goats charge forward as the giants tumble and fall around him, some still raising their arms to strike. The whole canvas swirls with smoke, light and bodies in motion.

In Norse mythology, Thor is the protector of gods and men against the giants (jötnar), the forces of chaos. His chariot is drawn by the goats Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, and his belt Megingjörð doubles his strength.

Why it works on your wall

• Epic and dramatic: a powerful image for a study, a games room or a library
• For lovers of Norse myth: the most famous painting of Thor, a must for fans of Viking legends
• Framing tip: a black or dark wood frame heightens the contrast of light and shadow

The painting

Mårten Eskil Winge (1825–1896), a Swedish painter and professor at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts, devoted much of his work to Norse mythology. Finished in 1872, this huge canvas (almost 5 metres high) drew crowds when it was first shown in Stockholm. King Charles XV bought it and bequeathed it to the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm.

• Artist: Mårten Eskil Winge (1825–1896)
• Date: 1872
• Technique: oil on canvas
• Original: Nationalmuseum, Stockholm
• Theme: Thor, Norse mythology, Vikings

Your print

• Colours restored from a high-definition scan of the original
• Printed in Europe on thick archival matte paper, FSC certified
• From A4 to A0, plus 40×60, 50×70, 60×90 and 70×100 cm and 12×18 to 27×40 inch sizes, all made for standard frames
• Free shipping, no minimum order. Shipped rolled in a sturdy tube

Pair it with Arthur Rackham’s Loki, God of Fire or Brunhild, or explore our mythology wall art.