Finally nearing completion, the murals in the entrance hall of the Germanic Museum will be put on public view on Monday, December 21. The paintings were done by Lewis W. Rubenstein '30. In conjunction with the opening of the murals there will be an exhibition of the preliminary sketches and drawings for the work.

Rubenstein employed the "true fresco" technique for the murals, a method used by the great Italian masters of the Renaissance. In this style the painting is done directly on the damp, freshly plastered wall. Since the plaster remains damp only for about fourteen hours, the artist must work quickly and must plan his work carefully day by day. He must plaster only as large an area as he can complete in a single day's work. The pigment employed in the "true fresco" technique is mixed with slaked lime and water, while the retouching of the various seams made in the plaster is done in pigment mixed with yolk of egg.

North Wall

The theme of the north wall is derived from the ancient Niebelung Legend and is symbolic of greed for power and its resultant oppression of humanity. The lunette above the door represents the cavern of Niebelheim. The dwarfs who inhabit this underground region are working to create the destructive wealth of the world, symbolized in the legend by the Ring forged from the Rhine gold, for their ruler, Alberich, who is lashing them on to greater labors.

At the left of the door, Alberich's hand reaches for the Rhine gold, while the hands of the Rhine Maidens attempt to restrain him. At the right is the curse of the Ring, the mailed fist thrust through the Ring and holding a sword, which symbolizes the threat of destruction with fire and sword by those who wield the power of the Ring.

East Wall

The subject depicted on the east wall is taken from the Norse legend, the "Ragnarok," the Doom of the Gods. The story is a very old one, taken from the "Elder Edda," as Icelandic tale of the Middle Ages.

The scene represents the final battle between the Gods and Giants. The giants have gathered to attack Asgard, the home of the Gods. They are shown on the bridge, Biforst, which is built of air and water and is protected by red fire flaming on its edge. The frost giants and mountain giants ever seek to capture the bridge so they may ascend to Asgard and overcome the gods.

Battle Scene

As the legend states, "All the earth shall tremble so, and the crags, that trees shall be torn up from the earth, and the crags fall to ruin; and all fetters and bonds shall be broken and rent. . . . In this din shall the heavens be cloven, and the sons of Muspell ride thence: Sutr shall ride first and both before and after him burning fire." Leading the giants is the traitor Loki, holding a flame thrower, and Frey, who opposes him is swept by flames. Thor, the thunder god, rushes to the attack, wielding his mighty workman's hammer.

In contrast to the battle scone, a quiet note is expressed at the right by the sleeper awakening. He represents the regenerated race of man. "The World's New Age hath dawned. . . . Earth rises a second time, from the deep sea; it rises clad with green verdure."

Symbolism

Both walls are symbolic of the constructive and destructive forces of society. The north wall represents the struggle between creative science and matrial greed. The east wall depicts the struggle between creative culture and the brutal impulses of man. To make the allegory more vivid, the artist has used many modern war accessories.