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In relation to the research project “The Renaissance Space” (Uppsala University), the wooden paneled chambers of the Royal Castles and Palaces in Denmark and Sweden are interpreted as a legacy to the Italian studioli of Ferrara, Gubbio and Urbino. The inner spaces of Scandinavian 16th-century residences have for long been considered as vernacular spaces with roots from the domestic settings of the peasantry. On the contrary, when the patrons, the princes of Denmark and Sweden were looking for role models for their princely environments, they turned to the continent and sought for models in Italy, Germany and Poland. The Danish and Swedish princes were in constant contact with the princely courts of Northern Italy, and templates, architects and woodcarvers were invited and brought to Scandinavia to conceptualize adequate princely interiors. The examples range from the Duke Charles’ Chamber at Gripsholm Castle and the paneled interiors of the castles in Kalmar and Vadstena to the castles of Rosenborg, Fredriksborg, and Kronborg at Elsinore, the Private Prayer Chapel of Gottorf Castle and the Great Cabin of the war ship Vasa. Adorned with intarsia panels with sophisticated iconography these interiors certainly mirror their patrons but also their continental predecessors in a way that has not been acknowledged before.

We are now witnessing a wave of research using digital tools to create 3D reconstructions of buildings, exhibitions, and objects. We would therefore like to critically discuss the scholarly value of reconstructions. What are we learning? Which problems are solved? What new knowledge can be gained? These are questions posed from a background of history of display and a pilot study in which we are reconstructing two hangings in a gallery at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. We conclude that an immersive 3D reconstruction can give new insights into narratives and hierarchies of art displays. Our model, made with the game engine Unity and the software Virtual Museum, allows us to show and analyze historical changes and developments as well as aspects as eye-lines, visibility and visitors flow to a comparably low cost. This way an immersive 3D-reconstruction can be used not only for pedagogical visualizations, but become an effective research tool.