What are the characteristics of Viking art?
Art made by Scandinavians during the Viking Age (c. 790-1100 CE) mostly encompassed the decoration of functional objects made of wood, metal, stone, textile and other materials with relief carvings, engravings of animal shapes and abstract patterns.
What are Viking patterns called?
The Urnes Style is named after the northern gate of the Urnes stave church in Norway, but most objects in the style are runestones in Uppland, Sweden, which is why some scholars prefer to call it the Runestone style. The style is characterized by slim and stylised animals that are interwoven into tight patterns.
How did the Norse use animal style in their art?
The use of repetitive patterns is used in the other styles, but it is seen commonly in Celtic art as well. Looped designs and highly stylized animals were the main elements of Urnes art. The carved doors of the Urnes Stave Church in Norway lent its name to this style of Norse art.
Did Vikings create art?
During the Viking age, Norse people apparently did not create art for art’s sake. There are few examples of decorated objects having no purpose other than to display their ornamentation. Instead, Norse art is characterized by extraordinary ornamentation of everyday objects.
What is Oseberg art?
The Oseberg style is a clear development of the Norse traditions, and has no traceable influences from outside of Scandinavia. The style generally features a more relaxed and unconventional take on animal ornament.
What kind of weapons did Vikings use?
In the Viking Age a number of different types of weapons were used: swords, axes, bows and arrows, lances and spears. The Vikings also used various aids to protect themselves in combat: shields, helmets and chain mail. The weapons that Vikings possessed depended on their economic capacity.
What does the Viking axe symbolize?
One of the most magnificent finds from the Viking Age is one of the axes from the grave at Mammen. The motifs on the axe can be interpreted as both Christian and pagan. On one side a tree motif can be seen. It may symbolise the Christian Tree of Life or the pagan tree Yggdrasil.
What is Nordic style painting?
Nordic art is the art made in the Nordic countries: Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and associated territories. Scandinavian art refers to a subset of Nordic art and is art specific for the Scandinavian countries Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
