The Four Elements:  Earth, Air, Fire, and Water

This set of four paintings with an ecology theme were completed from 1975-1981, during the period while Martha Mott was living alone at Elverhoy after Viggo’s death. The original paintings are in storage at the Elverhøj Museum and prints are available for purchase.

EARTH: The goddess Mother Earth nurtures her animals.

AIR: Three spirits of the air are frolicking in the clouds and clear blue sky of the mountaintops. They look down with horror and point to the dirty patch of smog enveloping the city buildings far below them.

FIRE: This painting represents the damage to wildlife, vegetation, and human life caused by forest fires. The Spirit of Fire raises an inferno of flame, causing the deer to run in panic while a boy is paralyzed by fear.

WATER: This painting represents pure water flowing from its prime source, a spring. A water nymph bathes in the clear, cool water. The painting is based on Nojoqui Falls, located just a few miles from Solvang.