#rijksmuseum i am coming for u

[littlestlieutenant]

Art of the Terror Wardroom

You can hardly miss the conspicuous art adorning the walls of the Terror wardroom, floating in and out of view behind the heads of our beloved officers during the dinner scenes of our favourite show. For those of you who’ve been itching to take a closer look, I hope to provide some relief with this post.

A series of 6 prints decorate the left wall when looking down toward the head of the table. These engravings were made by the same artist, Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617). From left to right:

1. ‘Saturn’ from the series, ‘Gods in Niches’ (1592). 2. ‘Crucifixion in Allegorical Frame’ for Trou Moet Blycken, a historical rhetoricians’ chamber in Haarlem, Netherlands (1597). 3. ‘Samson’ from the series, ‘Heroes and Heroines from the Old Testament’ (1585-9). 4. ‘Anger’ from the series ‘The Vices’ (1585-9). (Yes, that’s a bear.) 5. ‘Mercury’ from the series, ‘The Planets’ (1597; print-maker Jacob Matham). [EDIT: More likely this version.] 6. ‘Fortitude’ from the series, ‘The Virtues’ (1585-9). [EDIT: More likely this version.]

And lastly, there is one other painting in the room. It’s on the opposite wall and near the foot of the table.

7. A portrait, ‘Queen Victoria’ (1938) by Sir George Hayter (1792-1871). The image in the wardroom appears to have been cropped from this painting.

That’s all for the Terror Wardroom! Watch this space for the Erebus Wardroom.

<Note: I have tried to identify the art from the show and provide dates and links as best I can; I cannot guarantee my findings are correct.>