Viggo Pedersen was lauded in his time for his landscapes and genre scenes. His work communicates the influence of his teachings and his travels. Pedersen was taught by classical, romantic painters of the Danish Golden Age during his time at the Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen.
His tendency to capture Denmark’s countryside and seascapes illuminated by a dramatic sun touches on this influence. However, Pedersen also took inspiration from the French Barbizon School and the movement in Denmark towards realism.
Scenes of trees and fields gently rolling in the wind are not embellished by fantasy, only enhanced by Pedersen’s choice of a powerful palette.
He creates a distinctive blend of styles and makes it his own. Indeed, Pedersen shows a predilection for experimentation, embracing impressionism in some works, with a looser brush and lighter colours.
Pedersen cultivated the artistic proclivity strong in his family line. His father, Vilhelm Pedersen (1820-1859), illustrated editions of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales. His son, Stefan Viggo Pedersen (1891-1965) also pursued art. Pedersen had considerably large footsteps to follow but he successfully trod his own path.
Exhibiting extensively in his lifetime, his paintings now reside in art museums in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Helsinki.
1854
Born in Copenhagen.
1871-1878
Attended the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.
1877
Awarded the Sødrings Encouragement Prize for his work ‘Outside a Utility’.
1881
Travelled to Paris, Switzerland, and Italy.
1882
Sold ‘A Paved Road Under Old Trees’ to the Royal Painting Collection.
1883-1884
Resided for the summer in Sora, Campania, Italy, with fellow artist Joakim Skovgaard.
1884
Married Elisabeth Bella Marie Borup.
1889
Exhibited at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, where he won a prize of distinction.
1891
Became a co-founder and partner of the Free Exhibition.
1900
Exhibited at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, where he won a bronze medal prize.
1904
Became a member of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts’ Plenary Assembly.
1908-1911
Became a member of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts’ Academic Council.
1926
Died in Roskilde.