Ring of the Nibelung is a mid-20th century retelling for young readers that brings Richard Wagner’s monumental operatic cycle into the realm of illustrated children’s literature. The book’s significance lies not in being a direct translation of the Norse myths or Wagner’s libretto, but in its adaptation as a high-quality storybook, with its most celebrated feature being the artwork.
Gertrude Henderson’s narrative condenses the epic, complex saga of Der Ring des Nibelungen—comprising Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung—into a single, flowing prose story. She simplifies the dense mythological and philosophical themes of the original to focus on the core narrative: the cursed ring forged from the Rhinegold, the struggles of gods, heroes, and villains to possess it, and the ultimate downfall of the gods. Her retelling aims to make the dramatic story of magic, power, love, and betrayal accessible to a younger audience.
The true highlight of this edition is the illustrations by the renowned Swedish-American artist Gustaf Tenggren. Tenggren, a former lead illustrator for Walt Disney Studios (who contributed significantly to the visual style of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio), brings his formidable talent to the Norse world. His artwork is characterized by its strong sense of drama, atmosphere, and dynamic composition. His illustrations for the Ring are often dark and moody, perfectly capturing the mythic and tragic tone of the story. He renders the characters—whether the majestic gods, the twisted Nibelung dwarfs, the heroic Siegfried, or the fierce Valkyries—with a powerful and memorable visual style that is both classic and distinctly his own.
In essence, this book is a notable example of the gift-book tradition, where a classic story is repackaged with lavish illustrations by a master artist. It is prized by collectors and lovers of myth and fantasy primarily for Tenggren’s stunning artwork, which interprets one of the world’s great epics with a unique and powerful vision.
