In 2014 a collection of paintings by Norwegian artist Hakon Gullvag was brought to Orkney and displayed in St Magnus Cathedral as part of the St Magnus International Festival.
Paintings for a Cathedral, on a religious theme, had originally been commissioned for Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway, which had once been the archdiocese to which St Magnus Cathedral belonged.
From June to August the paintings were hung in the cathedral nave, suspended between the Romanesque pillars, where they caught the light from the west window and other windows very effectively.
Hakon Gullvag’s website shows high quality photos of the works (some displayed in Nidaros Cathedral) – you can see them here: http://www.haakon-gullvaag.no/en-kunst-utsmykning-nidarosdomen.
Hakon himself came to Orkney in order to supervise the hanging of the paintings. He had visited before, and had been very inspired by the story of St Magnus, so he decided to paint a picture of the saint and gift it to the people of Orkney. He brought the canvas with him in June 2014, but it wasn’t quite finished; he wanted to put the finishing touches to the painting actually inside the cathedral.
The location chosen to display the painting was the pillar opposite that where Magnus’s bones lie. It was here that Hakon finished the painting, with the canvas propped up on a chair. He add a few brushstrokes, then signed the work. It was left to dry and then carried across to the Town Hall, where it was presented to the Convener of Orkney Islands Council. Having been officially received, the painting was brought back to the cathedral and hung in its present position.
The background colour of the painting is a terracotta red, inspired by the colour of the red sandstone from which the cathedral is built.
At the foot of the painting is a ship filled with men – they seem to be unarmed so perhaps they are Magnus’s supporters who accompanied him to Egilsay. On the left and right are shapes that could be ships bearing men and weapons – possibly Magnus’s cousin Hakon and his followers, heavily armed with spears, axes and swords.
Hanging above the figure of Magnus is an axe, with a dribble of dark blood dripping from it. This reflects the manner of Magnus’s death, an axe blow to the head.
The upturned sword is symbolic – it is a stance traditionally used at military funerals to signal that the fighting is over, and is often used on war memorials. An inverted sword also makes the sign of the Christian cross, reflecting Magnus’s strong faith and his supposed sanctity.
It has been commented a few times that the portrait looks very feminine; indeed some people have interpreted it as being a woman. The words ‘S. Magnus’ do appear behind his head, but the letters are quite impressionistic. The figure is looking straight at the viewer with a questioning look, and it seems as if there is an invitation to dialogue. As to why the figure of Magnus is so feminine – it may refer to his purity as a saint, but also to his celibacy; Magnus the man did have a wife, but their marriage was not consummated. Whenever Magnus’s wife expressed ardour, he would go and run into the sea to cool down!