Udkast til freskerne i Viborg Domkirke. Væggene. Nordre sideskib og felterne over Triforierne 1897

This is Joakim Skovgaard’s preliminary sketch for the frescoes in Viborg Cathedral’s north aisle, created at the turn of the 20th century. Skovgaard, working in a period of national romanticism, was deeply committed to creating art that spoke to Danish identity. These frescoes, completed between 1901 and 1906, were part of a larger restoration project intended to revive a sense of national pride through art and architecture. In this sketch, we see Skovgaard's vision for integrating biblical narratives with elements of Danish history and landscape. The frescoes depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments, rendered in a style that evokes both Byzantine mosaics and the clarity of Nordic light. Skovgaard aimed to create a space for collective memory, intertwining religious stories with a sense of national belonging. The frescoes are not just illustrations of biblical events; they are also reflections on Danish history and cultural identity. Through the integration of familiar landscapes and cultural symbols, Skovgaard transformed the cathedral into a space where personal faith and national identity could converge.