Original 3D Mixed Media and Cut Out painted paper art work. Signed by Rosa Brown
The Viking history of England also overlaps with the local history of Mercia  due to the resistance against Viking rule led by Aethelflaed from the Mercian capital here in Tamworth.
 
Whilst we often think of the Vikings as violent aggressors, raiders and ultimately conquerors, this art work acknowledges the often overlooked side of their history and culture.
 
They were expert sea farers and used the oceans as their highway. We know their explorations and travels took them as far west as North America, Russia to the east, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. 
 
Whilst their initial intentions in England were simply that of looting wealth (especially from English churches and monasteries) and taking it back to their Scandinavian homeland, they ultimately settled in the lands which they seized here. 
 
We later come to understand that aside from their skills as sailors, we know they were skilled craftsmen, farmers, boat builders and had a strong trading culture which motivated their exploration of most the known world at the time. 
 
In this artwork, I have shown a Viking longboat arriving at the English coastline which was most probably inhibited by  mostly agricultural communities. How, terrifying it must have been to see a dragon headed Viking vessel arriving with malicious intent!
Photo has been taken from  the  origina 3D handmade cut out and handpainted artwork . Now available as an affordable print to bring colour and life to your home.  This print is available in A4 and A3