Finale du Rheingold

Fantin-Latour, Henri, 1836-1904 · 1877

On a blow struck by Donner (God of thunder), a rainbow shines in the purified airs. It serves as a triumphal way to the Gods -- to cross the Rhine and enter the Walhall, while the waters of the river rise, leaving his Dedicated Girls dispossessed of their treasure. In the middle, seen from behind, and standing on a rock surrounded by clouds, is the Germanic Vulcan, his hammer in his hand. On the left, under the rainbow, are the three Daughters of the Rhine: one seen from the back, half reclining; the other is sitting on the bank; and the third is standing out of the water up to her knees with her arms raised and her eyes fixed on the cortege of gods that cross the diagonal composition, right to left and bottom to top. Wotan, in a big cloak, winged helmet, and spear in his hand, opens the march and shows the road. Fricka, seen from behind and draped in cloth covering her to her hips, advances after him; then comes Freia who spreads her arms and shows herself completely naked. Behind her appears Froh and, from the front, the last on the right, is Lodge. (Wagner, Rheingold)