Engraving from 'Poems of Ossian, son of Fingal - Volume I'

This engraving appears in a 1797 edition of the Ossian poems, which were originally published by the Scottish poet James Macpherson in 1762. Macpherson claimed to have found and translated the works of Ossian into English from early Scottish Gaelic manuscripts and oral storytelling. While there was some controversy regarding whether the works were 'true' translations or simply fabrications of Macpherson's, the poems remain hugely significant cultural artefacts. In the poems, Ossian, now elderly and blind, acts as a narrator-author as he recounts the epic tales of days past.

This scene is a part of the poem ‘Carric-Thura'. This image shows Fingal, Ossian's father, 'engaging the spirit of Loda'. Loda, a spirit in the storm, bears a manner of resemblance to the ancient Scandinavian god Odin.

Ultimately, Loda is bested by the courageous Fingal and retreats.

[Shelfmark Oss.42]