Rolf og Viggo 1852

Lorenz Frølich created this pen and ink drawing, "Rolf og Viggo," in 1852, rendering a scene steeped in Norse mythology. Frølich, living amidst the rise of national romanticism, drew upon ancient sagas to explore themes of heroism and national identity, so central to 19th-century Danish culture. Within this domestic royal setting, Frølich subtly comments on power dynamics, gender roles, and the construction of masculinity. The image places the young Viggo in the foreground, who stands before the king. Note that Frølich gives us a glimpse into the making of a leader, and how stories cultivate particular types of cultural values. Through his art, Frølich invites us to reflect on how historical narratives and the visual arts intersect to shape our understanding of nationhood, leadership, and cultural values. And, of course, what kind of men these values produce.