16th Sep, 2026 12:00
London | Ancient & Modern
23
⊕ CHRISTOPHER LE BRUN PRA (BRITISH B.1951)
BRÜNNHILDE, LXVI (FROM THE WAGNER SERIES), 1994
signed Le Brun lower right in pencil, and numbered 34/50 lower left
photogravure with etching, aquatint, burnishing and scraping
50.6 x 53.8cm; (81.2 x 83cm framed)
Property from a Private Collection, West London
Provenance
Paragon Press, London
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 1994
The Wagner series was created in 1994 and contains eight prints inspired by Richard Wagner’s four-part opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung). These printsare based on a series of paintings that Le Brun produced on the opera, which he then photographed, re-sized and transferred onto copper plates via photogravure and heavily reworked with intaglio and his vigorous scratching.
In the present lot we see Brünnhilde, Wagner’s warrior maiden (a Valkyrie), the daughter of the chief god Wotan. During the opera Brünnhilde transitions from an immortal goddess into a wise mortal woman through love, betrayal, and ultimate self-sacrifice. Le Brun dedicated four etchings from this series to her transformation, and in the present lot we see the actual moment of metamorphosis. Brünnhilde, is riding a horse ast Le Brun has brought their bodies together through his furious whirls of ink. The horse and the rider become one, wrapped up in a swirl of black.
Sold for £350
BRÜNNHILDE, LXVI (FROM THE WAGNER SERIES), 1994
signed Le Brun lower right in pencil, and numbered 34/50 lower left
photogravure with etching, aquatint, burnishing and scraping
50.6 x 53.8cm; (81.2 x 83cm framed)
Property from a Private Collection, West London
Provenance
Paragon Press, London
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 1994
The Wagner series was created in 1994 and contains eight prints inspired by Richard Wagner’s four-part opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung). These printsare based on a series of paintings that Le Brun produced on the opera, which he then photographed, re-sized and transferred onto copper plates via photogravure and heavily reworked with intaglio and his vigorous scratching.
In the present lot we see Brünnhilde, Wagner’s warrior maiden (a Valkyrie), the daughter of the chief god Wotan. During the opera Brünnhilde transitions from an immortal goddess into a wise mortal woman through love, betrayal, and ultimate self-sacrifice. Le Brun dedicated four etchings from this series to her transformation, and in the present lot we see the actual moment of metamorphosis. Brünnhilde, is riding a horse ast Le Brun has brought their bodies together through his furious whirls of ink. The horse and the rider become one, wrapped up in a swirl of black.
Auction: London | Ancient & Modern, 16th Sep, 2026
London is a city which has had a greater impact on culture around the world than almost any other, and it has never been more important than now to shine a light on its remarkable citizens and history. From Magna Carta to the television London has, again and again, been the source from which progress has radiated. The present sale takes us from a medieval spur found under Cannon Street station, to a medal minted to commemorate the Millennium, from prints and paintings, to clocks and pistols. This sale is a sensational opportunity to acquire a small piece of this incomparable place. Olympia is a proudly London-based auction house and we are thrilled to be offering the inaugural instalment of this sale.
Viewing
PUBLIC EXHIBITION:
Sunday 13th September: 12pm to 4pm
Monday 14th September: 10am to 8.00pm (Drinks from 5pm)
Tuesday 15th September: 10am to 5pm
