Loki Chained to the Rocksby Niels Hansen Jacobsen. Plaster, 1888-1889, has since disappeared. A marble version from 1928-1929 stil exists (see previous post).
The sculpture’s subject comes from Nordic mythology. It shows Loki, who is punished for his misdeeds by being bound to three rocks. A serpent spewing venom was hung above him. Loki’s wife, Sigyn, collected the venom in a bowl, but when she had to empty it, the venom dripped on him, and he writhed so that the earth shook. The sculpture shows the moment at which he is writhing in pain, straining all his muscles in an effort to break his bonds.
Holding the Bowl 