In 1775, Johannes Ewald wrote the opera The Death of Balder based on Saxo Grammaticus's work Gesta Danorum.

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.

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.

[3] Shortly after his return to Denmark from Rome, Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg arranged for his admission into the academy.

[4] Eckersberg based his painting on two literary sources, namely the Prose Edda and Oehlenschläger's Baldur hin gode (1807).