'Wotan’s Farewell To Brünhilde' by Ferdinand Leeke

Ferdinand Leeke's painting "Wotan's Farewell to Brünhilde" depicts a poignant moment from Richard Wagner's opera 'Die Walküre'. In this scene, Wotan, the chief god and father, bids an emotional farewell to his daughter Brünhilde, a Valkyrie who defied his orders. As punishment, Wotan strips her of her immortality and places her in a deep sleep, surrounded by a protective ring of fire. Leeke captures the profound conflict between duty and paternal love, illustrating the universal struggle between compassion and obligation.