The thematic concept for the wall paintings in the palace church was developed by the widely travelled painter Johann Oswald Harms (1643–1708). He also provided sketches and ultimately put his ideas into practice, painting the church’s walls in the late summer and fall of 1682.
His murals reflect the style of the Italian Baroque, which he had become familiar with during long stays in Rome and Venice. The images show scenes from the New Testament (first gallery) and Old Testament (second gallery). The wall paintings in the Weissenfels palace church are among the artist’s most important works. He was also active in Dresden, Eisenberg, Hanover, and Hamburg.
