As punishment for Loki's involvement in Balder's death the Aesir took Loki deep underground where they had prepared a ghastly death for him. First they bound him to some sharp rocks with the entrails of his own son Narvi, and Odin read runes over them so they became hard as iron. Then Skadi – who had always born a grudge for Loki – fastened a snake above the bound Loki so that its venom would drip down onto Loki’s face. Then the gods left him there.
Loki’s wife Sigyn, faithful to the last, stands by her husband’s side, holding a bowl over his head to collect the venom. From time to time, however, she has to carry the bowl away to empty it, and then the venom drops into Loki’s eyes and he writhes in torment. He tugs so hard at his fetters that the whole earth shakes, and this is what people call an earthquake. And so they will remain in the darkness of the underworld – the giant, the woman and the snake – until the end of time, when Loki becomes free and joins the forces of darkness.
The illustration is from the book Norse Gods.
The art print is in A3 format (29,7 x 42 cm / 11.7 x 16.5") and is printed on fine art paper, Munken Pure 300 gsm. The print is signed by the artist. Click the image to see the layout of the print, the print does not fill up the whole sheet of paper.