Abnoba, goddess of the Black Forest and Danube

F.A. Moore

Abnoba, goddess of the Black Forest and Danube

Abnoba, goddess of the Black Forest and Danube

Abnoba was a goddess of the Black Forest and Danube River, worshipped by Celtic Gauls, and later by Romans, as Diana Abnoba (goddess of the hunt). Abnoba is believed to mean fog or mist on the river.

There are two alters in Roman baths in Badenweiler and Mühlenbach, Germany, respectively, inscribed with the name of “Diana Abnoba” (see below). Rome annexed Gaul in about 51 BC; and it’s conceivable that they attempted to merge gods and goddesses of the two civilizations.
!

I chose to represent Abnoba, because I have an affinity for the forest—to me a kind of sacred place, where trees whisper amongst themselves, their vocal chords, the wind. I love how nature’s cycle of life, and decay-giving life, again, is reduced to the obvious; even there on the forest floor; where I can see it, below my feet and hands, elbows, and curious eye.

But to the Celtic Gauls, the forest was life, itself. It was the source of food—they hunted there; the source of firewood for warmth and cooking; for fresh water; and no doubt weapons. The forest was a shield, protecting them.

How interesting to have a woman—a divine woman, no less, guarding these very precious resources—the Black Forest, the Danube River, and surrounding rivers and streams. What is it about a woman that would make her the best candidate for protecting the two resources that meant life or death to entire communities?

I leave you to contemplate that.

Hopefully “Abnoba, goddess of the Black Forest and Danube”, will inspire someone who sees it to become the protector of their own region’s rivers, woods, and creatures—great and small. They need us, as we need them.

Digital Work by F.A. Moore, June 23-24, 2009, in watercolor style; influenced by the art style of Pre-Raphaelites and Arts and Crafts movement.

Special thanks to stock providers, the beautiful model from mizzd-stock, FantasyStock, idnurse41, CAStock, LucieG, Dragonic-Stock and wikipedia for 2 special images in the public domain.

ABOUT THIS WORK:
I added a variety of creatures to illustrate the ease with which Abnoba must have related to them.

Look closely and you will find that animals, birds, reptiles, and insects are all represented. Only fish are not represented. (Darn! forgot!)

Information was a bit scarce on the animals that reside in the Black Forest region of Germany, except that there are the usual forest animals, including fox and big cats.

The Sperlingskauz, a forest owl; and the Kolkrabe, a species of Raven, were specifically noted as being special to the region. I was lucky enough to find images of these two in the public domain on wikipedia images.

Look for the Black Forest’s Sperlingskauz (owl) and the Kolkrabe (Raven) in the piece.


DETAIL – at 100% scale of 3335×5000 pixels


Big cat detail ^


Racoon detail ^


Kolkrabe raven detail ^


Fawn detail ^


Face. Click to see flower, shoulder, canary, and fox head detail ^

Abnoba, goddess of the Black Forest and Danube belongs to the following groups:

! Inspired Art !, All In, "Editing", All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Art Nouveau and the Arts & Crafts Movement, Core [C.O.R.E], Digital Art Compilations (No Nudity Allowed), Digital Artists United, Dimensions, Enchanting Powerful Photo Manipulation (2 per day), Fantasy Fine Art Composites, Feminine Intent (LIMIT TWO IMAGES PER DAY), Freedom to Shine, Friends of RedBubble, Mature Woman, PixElations - The Art of Photoshop, Spiritual Art and THE DIVINE FEMININE Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters

Abnoba, goddess of the Black Forest and Danube by F.A. Moore
Abnoba, goddess of the Black Forest and Danube by F.A. Moore
  • Roseann

    Roseann

    Beautiful work! Really well done.

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thanks, Roseann! You’re quick! I was still fussing with the detail urls. This is my entry in current The Divine Feminine challenge.

  • Roseann

    Roseann

    (fingers crossed) Hope you win!

  • Wayne Cook

    Wayne Cook

    What a fascinating shot! So many elements in it!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thanks for the kudos, Wayne!

  • Vasile Stan

    Vasile Stan

    Oh, she’s a goddess alright. And this composition is for sure done by the queen of wonderful taste and great talent. Kudos Frannie!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Vasile, thank you for making my morning! :D

  • Tahnja

    Tahnja

    Excellent image indeed! Such a beautiful work

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Tahnja, thank you so much.

  • Terry Hinkle

    Terry Hinkle

    Beautiful piece, beautiful words. Great job.

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Terry, thank you very much. That means a lot.

  • Leanne Inwood

    Leanne Inwood

    beautiful

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Hi, Leanne, welcome. Thank you. Sometimes beauty is the objective. :)

  • katarina86

    katarina86

    good image

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you Katarina!

  • Carol Berliner

    Carol Berliner

    Woooooow just Wooooooow! amaaaaaazing work!! as always!! I looooove it! Instsant fav!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Carol, thank you!! And thanks for the fav!!

  • valzart

    valzart

    WoW! amazing workz sweetheART ALL lovely ;} happy hippy hugglez

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you, Val!

  • Britta Döll

    Britta Döll

    What a beautiful illustration. I love this.

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you, Britta. I really enjoyed the process—and it was long process. :)

  • A. JILL GAEBEL

    A. JILL GAEBEL

    Ohhhh…how very nice! Exceptional, Fran.

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you Jill. I created it for the current challenge at The Divine Feminine group; but as usual, I am the one who gained from the process. This was such a JOY to create! xoxo

  • Rhenastarr

    Rhenastarr

    Beautiful work.

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you very much Rhenastarr, and for favoriting it. I so loved making this.

  • happyfeet5

    happyfeet5

    Beautiful. And the picture goes perfectly with the description.

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thanks Iris. lol. I guess that’s because I made both? :))

  • Anji Johnston

    Anji Johnston

    Wonderful composition – so well put together

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Anji, thank you so much. This was a labor of love. Thanks for the favoriting, too. :)

  • Antanas

    Antanas

    lovely work…. indeed

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Hello, Antanas. Wow, so sweet of you to come by and favorite. Thanks so much.

  • banrai

    banrai

    fine image

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you, banrai! I appreciate your comment. :D

  • bowenite

    bowenite

    Wow. Great work!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Wow, thank you, bowenite! I loved creating every element of this piece.

  • DevineDayDreams

    DevineDayDreams

    beautiful!!!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you very much!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thanks for the fav on this too, Devine! :D

  • hugh023

    hugh023

    A lovely composition. . .

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thanks, Hugh. Love your Apple icon, too. :)

  • F.A. Moore replied

    And thanks for favoriting!

  • bigbear2311

    bigbear2311

    Beautiful work!!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you so very much for visiting her, and for your beautiful comment, BigBear!

  • Scott  d'Almeida

    Scott d'Almeida

    fantastic

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Scott, I don’t know how you have the time to do what you do, and comment too. But I appreciate YOU. Thanks!

  • Mark Peterson

    Mark Peterson

    I like the colors and the style…let me get a hold of this ;) like your comp too. Nice work!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thanks, Mark. I value your opinion.

  • Barbara  Brown

    Barbara Brown

    Beautiful image and really like the history!!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thanks, Barbara! :)

  • Stephen Thomas

    Stephen Thomas

    Wonderful work!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you, Stephen! Delighted to see you.

  • Barbara Glatzeder

    Barbara Glatzeder

    Congratulations on your Top 10 placement in The Celtic/Norse Goddess challenge in THE DIVINE FEMININE!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Super great! Thank you Barbara, for being the bearer of good news.

  • Casey Herman

    Casey Herman

    Great compilation! It’s interesting to learn of ancient cultures and beliefs, and your work adds to this.

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you, Casey! I found it interesting to do the research for this!

  • Isa Rodriguez

    Isa Rodriguez

    I think I have come to this one about eight times so far. and it is time i just add a wow and another wow.. im in love with it..

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Really? Ahhhh, thank you for saying that Isa. She’s been a bit neglected by the critics. But I love this one too, and hope to actually paint it one day, when I can wrestle myself away from this computer.

  • elenaoleniuc

    elenaoleniuc

    Splendid work, I like it !

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you, Elena. It’s a very romantic piece. I have always enjoyed the “Pre-Raphelite” works.

  • ToastedGhost

    ToastedGhost

    Gorgeous!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you, Toasted Ghost!

  • Jim Ross

    Jim Ross

    Free models and great art, what can be more inspiring! I like this one too, nice touch Fran :)))

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thanks, Jim. Days of work in this one, but loved every minute of it. I notice that many on RB don’t link back to the model’s stock pages; but since that is all the DA providers ask of those who use their stock, out of respect, I do. :)

  • Christophe Testi

    Christophe Testi

    Beautiful work!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you very much, Christophe!

  • Ming  Myaskovsky

    Ming Myaskovsky

    I enjoyed the symbolism involved as well as the composition~ you are very gifted and talented! :)

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you, Ming; I’m humbled by your compliment.

  • Robyn Russell

    Robyn Russell

    wow, this is gorgeous! so detailed ….

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Hi, Robyn, thank you very much. Yes, a lot of detail.

  • Boyd Alexander

    Boyd Alexander

    Extraordinary!! You are truly an artist!!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you, Boyd; it’s so good to see you.

  • Steve  Buffington

    Steve Buffington

    Wonderful Fran. Look at all the details.—Steve

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thanks, Steve; yes, and look and look…lots of details. :)

  • Ted Byrne

    Ted Byrne

    So powerfully imagined… and then executed to make me wonder. And after all, art without wonder is merely craft, huh?

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you, Ted. I wonder about your wonder. :)

  • tazzina

    tazzina

    b
    r
    a
    v
    o

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you, Tazzina. I just paid a nice visit to your exciting portfolio.

  • F.A. Moore replied

    I meant to say thanks for your favoriting Abnoba, too. :)

  • vadim19

    vadim19

    Awesome!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you, Vadim!

  • EvaLarsen

    EvaLarsen

    Great work, very well done.

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you, Eva!

  • robpixaday

    robpixaday

    What a marvel!!!!
    Wow!
    I’m so sorry I didn’t see this before…I really need to wander around your site more. Having the little thumbnails makes it easy to skip over things…I remember seeing her before (the thumbnail) and thinking she was a portrait of a relative and didn’t click on her. I’m truly an Art Heathen, hunh?
    Or maybe it’s the myopia.
    Anyway, brava!!!!!!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    I’m so glad you discovered Abnoba…. Thank you, Robin.

  • Mui-Ling Teh

    Mui-Ling Teh

    This is beautiful!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Thank you much. :D
    I see you found my admiring comments on your oragami.

  • Husky

    Husky

    Great image!! Do I see a “cleavage” ;) seriously,,, goo one Frannie!

  • F.A. Moore replied

    Okay, that was funny. Thanks, Dale. :)

  • louisegreen

    louisegreen

    Another lovely creation:-)

  • F.A. Moore replied

    You’re so wonderful to be frolicking through my portfolio and commenting. Thank you Louise. :)

  • PcKris

    PcKris about 1 month ago

    Very beautiful and detailed Fran, nature and life at it’s finest. Awesome !

  • F.A. Moore replied about 1 month ago

    Thank you, Kris. It’s great to see you here, my friend. Do you know how to favorite? There’s a tiny link, just below the image.

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