Focus on this artwork and explain the Background.
In 1801, Adam Oehlenschläger argued that Danish art should use Nordic themes instead of relying on Greek mythology for inspiration, as they would stimulate people's love for their homeland. A number of publications, including most notably N. F. S. Grundtvig's Nordens mytologi (1808) and Nordiske Digte (1807) and Adam Oehlenschläger's Nordens Guder (1819), contributed to promoting interest in the subject among both artists and the general public. The new trend was met with criticism from others, who observed that medieval sources did not provide any type of reference or information relevant to their images. This so-called Mythology Dispute dominated the Danish art scene in the years between 1812 and 1821, dividing the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. In 1814, upon orders from Crown Prince Christian, it was made mandatory for the Academy's professor of history to include Nordic history and mythology in his teachings. It was also proposed to reproduce Johannes Wiedewelt's illustrations from the 1780s of Johannes Ewald's The Death of Balder (1669, published 1775). In 1819 and 1828, Finnur Magnússon was engaged as an instructor in mythology and Nordic literature for art students.Torkel Baden, secretary of the Academy of Fine Arts, refuted Jens Møller's ideas, stating that the Nordic themes were deformed and useless, unlike those of classical mythology, which was sublime, ideal and cultured. The painter C. F. Høyer supported him, asserting that classical and Christian motifs should prevail in Danish art.
Adam Oehlenschläger Finnur Magnússon Johannes Ewald Torkel Baden The Death of Balder Balder Johannes Wiedewelt C. F. Høyer Crown Prince Christian N. F. S. Grundtvig