Omslag til J. C. Tuxen, "Den danske og norske Sømagt fra de ældste Tider indtil vore Dage" 1870 - 1872

This book cover, created anonymously, depicts a Viking longship cutting through the waves, framed by a decorative border. The longship, a powerful symbol of Nordic maritime strength, evokes a sense of adventure and conquest. The border itself is adorned with a mask at the top; a motif that echoes across cultures and eras. This ‘mask’ or ‘face’ can be seen as a visual representation of the human psyche; a symbol of the collective unconscious expressed through art. Consider the ‘mask’ archetype and its appearance in ancient Greek theatre, where masks amplified emotions and helped define characters, or the masks used in rituals across countless cultures to embody spirits and ancestors. The motif has been passed down through history, shifting in meaning, shaped by collective memory, and resurfacing in unexpected places. It has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.