Frederik Christian Kiærskou was a distinguished Danish painter of landscapes.

Born in Copenhagen to Jacob Kiærschou, a police clerk, and Susanne Dorothea Kiærschou, he was orphaned at an early age and raised in an orphanage. Here, it seems he honed his drawing skills as within six years, he was accepted into the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. It’s interesting to consider how this occurred, as it’s quite a feat to reach such a level without assistance or early tuition.

At the academy, he trained under two brilliant teachers, Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg (1783-1853) and Johan Ludwig Lund (1777-1867). Both lauded the achievements of the old masters and the young lad would have undergone a rigorous formal education. Initially, the focus was on honing one’s draughtsmanship by copying classical plasters before moving on to life drawing.

In 1826, his efforts paid off when he debuted at the foremost show in Denmark, the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition. He continued to exhibit for a remarkable 66 years, missing only three. Such was his gratitude to the Academy that he returned once again in 1830 to undertake additional studies and was awarded several prizes.

Like many landscape painters of his generation, his style was based upon the German romantics, such as Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840) and Andreas Achenbach (1815-1910). But, in contrast, his was a modest rendition, more humble, and quintessentially Danish.

Kiærschou adored the scenery of his homeland but also travelled in search of the sublime. In 1840, he undertook a study trip to Dresden, Munich, Tyrol, and Switzerland - and five years later, headed for Sweden. 

There’s delicate quality to his handling, even when he renders the most overwhelming mountain ranges, they still seem controlled and comforting. Figures are tiny, barely noticeable, yet entirely comprehensible. While buildings are unthreatened, secure in their surroundings. It’s tempting to think that he found solace when sketching amid the natural world - a sense of security that anchored him to his childhood. Perhaps it was an escape.

With his career in full swing, he gained the support of the Danish Prime Minister, Adam Wilhelm Moltke and in 1845, was elected a member of the Academy. A few years later, achieving the same honour in Sweden.

For the rest of his life, his style remained unaltered. The French painters began painting ‘en plein air’, but he wasn’t deterred. The Impressionists flourished in Paris - but he didn’t flinch. And the Danish landscape painters adopted a more naturalistic style, yet he persevered. If he was alive today, one can guess exactly what he’d be doing.

In 1874, he was knighted with the Order of the Dannebrog.

Frederik Christian Kiærskou is represented at the Statens Museum for Kunst, Aarhus Museum, Thorvaldsens Museum, Storstrøms Museum, and Funen Art Museum. 

Exhibited

Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition in Copenhagen, Artists’ Association, Exposition Universelle in Paris, and London.

Public Collections

Statens Museum for Kunst, Aarhus Museum, Thorvaldsens Museum, Storstrøms Museum, Funen Art Museum.

Timeline

1805

Born in Copenhagen to Jacob Kiærschou, a clerk for the police, and Susanne Dorothea Kiærschou (born Lind).

C. 1814

Placed in an orphanage following the death of both parents. 

1820

Enrolled at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and trained under Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg (1783-1853) and Johan Ludwig Lund (1777-1867).

1826

Debuted at the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition in Copenhagen. He exhibited regularly between 1826 and 1892 missing only three years.

1827

Commenced work as a decorative painter.
Married Ida Gindrup in Copenhagen.

1830

Returned to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts for additional training where he was awarded several prizes for landscape painting.

1835

Undertook a study trip to Sweden.

1840

Undertook a study trip to Dresden, Munich, Tyrol, and Switzerland.

1842

Awarded a travel scholarship by the Academy and also gained the support of Danish Prime Minister, Adam Wilhelm Moltke.

1845

Undertook a study trip to Sweden.
Elected a member of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

1848

Elected a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts.

1855

Shown at the Exposition Universelle in Paris.

1862

Shown in London.

1863

Presented Princess Alexandra with a landscape painting as a gift to celebrate her marriage to the Princes of Wales (who became King Edward VII of the United Kingdom).

1865

Began working as a conservator at the Moltke Painting Collection in Copenhagen.

1867

Appointed the painter in residence at Charlottenborg Palace.

1874

Knighted with the Order of the Dannebrog. 

1891

Died in Copenhagen.