Horned, barbarian, hero: the visual invention of the Viking through European art (1824-1851)

The research investigates the beginnings of the visual construction of the Viking figure by Western art, in the period between the 1820s and the 1850s. We used John Harvey's visual methodology and studies of Cultural History. The article analyzes the influence of literary stereotypes, the references of medieval chivalry and the Ossian ideal in the initial formation of images about Vikings. The last part investigates the consolidation of the Viking image as a hero and adventurer, as well as the origin and formation of the most famous visual stereotype about the ancient Nordic: the warrior wearing a horned helmet. We conclude that the first romantic representations about the Nordics played an important role in the consolidation of nationalism for several European countries, which sought to define their geographical borders and social identities.