Reflection of the Vikings on the art of painting in the context of norse mythology

Scandinavian mythology and Viking mythology have played a significant role throughout history, reflecting people's imagination, beliefs, and cultural heritage. These mythological systems have deeply influenced the historical and cultural fabric of Northern Europe and served as inspiration for many works of art. In this thesis, the focus is on examining how Scandinavian and Viking mythology is reflected in the art of painting. To investigate the relationship between painting and Scandinavian/Viking mythology, a series of artists' works have been discussed. The works of prominent artists such as Marten Eskil Winge, Nils Blommer, Peter Nicolai Arbo, August Malmström have been examined as visual representations of Scandinavian mythology and Viking legends. These artists skillfully depicted mythological figures, heroes, and epic stories, effectively conveying this rich cultural heritage to the viewers. Furthermore, this thesis also addresses the use of runic inscriptions and the role of Edda texts. Runic inscriptions were a characteristic writing system used during the Viking era and have frequently appeared as an element in artworks. Edda texts, on the other hand, are important works considered as sources of Scandinavian mythology and have often served as references for artists. This study aims to understand how these inscriptions and texts are used in artworks to visualize mythological and cultural narratives.