The decision was made in 1989 to transfer ownership of the 400 year-old Warehouse to the Danish Parliament and in this connection the state wanted it decorated. The Danish Arts Foundation chose painter Hans Christian Rylander (born 1939) to do the work, which took 14 years. It involved many different styles and materials in an attempt to embrace the great narrative of life in general and Danish history in particular. The decorations comprise site-specific works created for the ten niches in the long lobby and two large paintings in the foyer, they represent Hans Christian Rylander's life's work and constitute a pictorial tour de force. There is room for the great emotions in these imposing works that derive their inspiration from mediaeval and baroque iconography, from naturalism and from modern abstract art. Author: Lisbeth Bonde, M.A and art critic. Photographer: Torben Eskerod.