Udsigt fra Viborg Domkirkes tårn 1902

Poul S. Christiansen made this ink drawing, "View from Viborg Cathedral Tower," sometime between his birth in 1855 and death in 1933. The drawing depicts a vast landscape as seen through an arched window. The Cathedral in Viborg looms large in the cultural history of Denmark. Construction of the original church began in 1130, and for centuries it served as the site of royal coronations. By the time Christiansen made this drawing, the Cathedral would have been understood as a symbol of Danish nationhood. The choice of vantage point is also important here, literally representing a privileged view onto the nation. Art historians might consider the way institutions, such as the church and the museum, shape how we understand artworks. By looking at the social context of the artist and the historical significance of the subject, we can enrich our understanding of this drawing and its place in Danish cultural history.