In 2014, in collaboration with the National Museum in Stockholm, the Gothenburg Museum of Art is undertaking a major initiative in the form of a research-based exhibition on Swedish history painting from the 19th century. These are visually striking large-format images that tell dramatic events from Sweden's history but also resonate with contemporary popular culture. Prior to the exhibition, an interdisciplinary research project is being carried out with seven external researchers (art and film scholars and a historian). It asks new questions about history painting in relation to contemporary visual culture with film and photography, where its imagery has lived on in other forms. The status, forms and motifs of history painting, its conditions, dissemination and legacy are examined on the basis of individual works and artists. In addition to forming the basis of the exhibition, the research results are presented in a combined research publication and catalog published in conjunction with the exhibition. History painting touches on burning questions about the view of history and notions of Swedishness, questions that are urgent to ask anew in today's multicultural society. Based on the research project, the exhibition aims to create a creative presentation where comparisons and new perspectives highlight history painting in an interesting way. The exhibition will be shown at the Gothenburg Museum of Art between 22 February and 21 September 2014. The application relates to the research part of the project.