---
title: Valkyrie and a Dying Hero
author: Hans Makart
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14595/valkyrie-and-a-dying-hero/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Valkyrie and a Dying Hero

_Authored by Hans Makart_

## Image File

[![Valkyrie and a Dying Hero](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14595.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14595.jpg)

## Image Caption

A painting portraying a [Valkyrie](https://www.worldhistory.org/Valkyrie/) taking care of a dying warrior. Valkyries were key figures in various Norse sagas such as *Prose [Edda](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edda/)*, the *Heimskringla* and the *Njáls [Saga](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saga/)*. They were maidens whose role was to participate in battles and to decide which warriors should die in [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/). They were also known for assisting the souls of such fallen warriors to enter *[Valhalla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Valhalla/)*. *Valhalla* was an afterlife location in [Norse mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Norse_Mythology/) where the souls of those who died a heroic [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) on a battlefield enjoyed the blissful company of gods.

The image focuses more on the role of the Valkyrie as a guide of the souls of the warriors. It also alludes to some of the myths in which Valkyries were lovers of humans. The painting was created by the artist Hans Makart and is now located at the *Nationalmuseum* in Stockholm.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Makart, H. (2021, September 08). Valkyrie and a Dying Hero. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14595/valkyrie-and-a-dying-hero/>
### Chicago
Makart, Hans. "Valkyrie and a Dying Hero." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 08, 2021. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14595/valkyrie-and-a-dying-hero/>.
### MLA
Makart, Hans. "Valkyrie and a Dying Hero." *World History Encyclopedia*, 08 Sep 2021, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14595/valkyrie-and-a-dying-hero/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Valkyrie_and_a_Dying_Hero_(Hans_Makart)_-_Nationalmuseum_-_19497.tif) by [**Hans Makart**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Valkyrie_and_a_Dying_Hero_(Hans_Makart)_-_Nationalmuseum_-_19497.tif). Submitted by [Celina Bebenek](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/celinacyprianbe/ "User Page: Celina Bebenek"), published on 08 September 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.