Violent & Valiant: Comparing the Portrayals of Vikings in the Medieval, Romantic, and Modern / Postmodern Eras through Analyses of Visual Media
Sachem High School North, 212 Smith Road, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY, 11779, United States
Abstract
Vikings have been represented in many different ways throughout history. By analyzing visual media about Vikings from different time periods, one can understand how they were portrayed while also learning about the different places and historical contexts in which the representations occur. Vikings have been represented both brutally and idealistically, but those representations have never been consistent. This lack of consistency in representation throughout history can also be applied to other social groups and cultures in general, including in our own time. Understanding the history of representation of one group is important because it helps to illuminate historical motivations for framing groups in different ways, specifically through visual media. Using mixed methods, this study examines how Vikings were portrayed in different visual media across three aesthetic periods: Medieval, Romantic, and Modern/Postmodern. Results show that patterns emerge with respect to how Vikings are portrayed within each time period. After taking into account the many categories from landscapes to style, Vikings were portrayed more brutally in the medieval era, more heroic in the romantic era, and more stereotypical in the modern era, but with much historical context to consider when generalizing about these overall representations. Art characteristics provide the basis of the data, which, when compared, show how the portrayals of Vikings evolved across the time periods. Overall, analysis of the data shows that the Romantic Era created the largest influence on the future time periods by focusing on cultural elements like mythology and beauty, and it was separated from the more brutal and political depictions of Vikings in the Medieval Era. Portrayals of Vikings have had a long and complicated history, and examining these portrayals can educate about the different ways artists can control people’s perceptions of different social or cultural groups throughout time.
Keywords
Keywords: Vikings; Art History; Visual Media; Stereotypes; Content Analysis
Introduction
Vikings have been shown as both brutal and heroic, but those images have never stayed the same. This study compares visual media across the Medieval, Romantic, and Modern/Postmodern eras to trace how portrayals changed with historical context.
Conclusion
Portrayals were more brutal in the medieval era, more heroic in the romantic era, and more stereotypical in the modern era. The Romantic Era, with its emphasis on mythology and beauty, left the strongest mark on later images of Vikings.
How to Cite
Gillespie, Cora. Violent & Valiant: Comparing the Portrayals of Vikings in the Medieval, Romantic, and Modern / Postmodern Eras through Analyses of Visual Media. Journal of Youth Impact. September 2026; 1(Issue 3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.66245/jyi.v1.i3.001