National Museum of Sweden, Part 3 - Midvinterblot

The main entrance hall to the National Museum in Stockholm features what is by all accounts 

the most controversial painting in the history of Sweden, Midvinterblot or Midwinter Sacrifice.  

(And no, it is not a mural, but a painting.)  Artist Carl Larsson was originally commissioned 

to create art for the side walls of the central staircase, but he lobbied until the directors added 

the huge main wall.  He commenced in 1911 and went through at least five versions before 

having the finished piece rejected.  It depicts the sacrifice of legendary King Domalde, and it 

was not finally installed into its hopefully final location until 1997.  As one museum docent 

told me,  "Only we Swedes could argue about something that long."  And believe it or not, 

the nudity of the King was not one of the reasons given for the rejection.