{"product_id":"scandinavia-travel-poster-see-the-lands-of-the-vikings-by-ben-blessum","title":"Scandinavia Travel Poster: See the Lands of the Vikings by Ben Blessum","description":"\u003cp\u003eBen Blessum’s \u003cem\u003eSee the lands of the vikings\u003c\/em\u003e turns a Scandinavian journey into a compact drama of ship, sea and radiant sky. A Viking vessel surges across curling blue waves, its dark hull and billowing sail silhouetted against a field of orange and yellow that suggests the low brilliance of sunrise or sunset. Shields punctuate the ship’s side in red, while the raised figurehead and taut curve of the sail give the central motif an unmistakable sense of forward motion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe poster draws upon the romance of Viking exploration to promote travel across Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, with Canada included in its wider geographical frame. Rather than presenting these destinations through photographic detail, Blessum follows the persuasive logic of early twentieth-century travel graphics: landscape, history and transport are distilled into a few memorable forms. Its simplified contours, emphatic lettering and strongly divided colour fields also reflect the period’s Art Deco-inflected visual language, in which clarity and spectacle worked together to seize attention quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA closer look\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe ship dominates the upper and central composition. Its prow rises sharply above the water, while the broad, curved sail appears to catch a powerful wind. Fine linear ornament across the sail recalls Nordic knotwork, adding decorative intricacy to an otherwise boldly simplified design. Along the hull, the repeated circular shields form a rhythmic band; their warm red accents echo the glowing sky and stand out crisply against the vessel’s near-black structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBelow, the sea is constructed from sweeping bands of blue rather than naturalistic water. These curves draw the eye diagonally towards the ship, making the entire design feel mobile even though its forms are largely flat. The contrast between cool ocean blues and the saturated orange-yellow sky is especially effective: the former establishes distance and direction, while the latter creates a luminous backdrop against which the vessel can be read almost as an emblem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe lower portion shifts from maritime spectacle to geographical orientation. Simplified coastal outlines connect Canada and the north-eastern Atlantic with the Scandinavian lands beyond, while names including “Norway”, “Sweden” and “Denmark” appear in assertive red lettering. Across the bottom, “see the LANDS of the VIKINGS” is arranged as the principal message, with “LANDS” and “VIKINGS” given particular weight. Beneath it, the smaller instruction to ask a travel bureau, steamship or railway agent reveals the practical machinery behind the romance: this was an invitation designed to turn visual excitement into an actual itinerary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eContext and significance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTravel posters of this kind did more than identify a destination. They created a concise public identity for it, selecting architecture, scenery or historical association as a memorable point of entry. Here, Blessum chooses the Viking ship—a motif associated with navigation, seafaring skill and long-distance encounter—to link the Scandinavian countries through a shared imaginative past. The modern traveller is thus encouraged to understand the Atlantic crossing as an echo of earlier voyages, though now organised through travel bureaux, shipping lines and railway networks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is both map and myth. Its labelled geography promises practical movement between recognisable places, while the monumental vessel transforms that journey into something adventurous and culturally resonant. Small details reward closer attention, but the poster’s lasting force lies in the directness of its first impression: a dark sail, a fiery sky and a ship pressing confidently across an intensely blue sea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoosing the right size and finish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eArtwork can feel intimate at smaller sizes and dramatically more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to see how the proportions and scale will work in your space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you need an exact size, specialist framing or help planning a larger display, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eask our workshop for advice\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 36x24in (90x60cm) version of this art print.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/map-personalisation\"\u003eSee examples of personalised artwork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Original to retain the colour and character of the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer, more antique appearance. \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/pages\/sepia-aged-maps\"\u003eSee examples of our Aged artwork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery piece is produced to archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte art paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or framed canvas using the finish options above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFramed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, lower weight and safer delivery than glass. Each piece arrives professionally framed and ready to hang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSelected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/pages\/custom-framing\"\u003especialist framing\u003c\/a\u003e are also available. If the exact option you need is not listed, \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003econtact our workshop\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"A4 (210x297mm) \/ Art print","offer_id":68178423021959,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"A4 (210x297mm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":68178423054727,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"A4 (210x297mm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":68178423087495,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":68178423120263,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":68178423153031,"sku":null,"price":95.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Framed 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