This mid-19th-century Danish oil painting depicts a forest landscape with meandering cattle.

Ambling under an epic canopy of twisting birch, a cattle drover guides his livestock. Contorted silvery forms echoed in the cart tracks. Beyond them, a Claudian light illuminates a sublime lake, casting its radiance through pockets of foliage. It’s a romantic vision - emphasising nature’s harmonious beauty.

The painting is unsigned but it bears some resemblance to works by Danish artists Carl Frederik Peder Aagaard (1833-1895) and Axel Schovelin (1827-1893). To reach this level of fidelity, the artist would’ve trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, probably under JL Lund (1777-1867) who encouraged students to learn from the Dutch masters.

Produced in around 1860, it was an interesting time for Danish landscape painting as philosophies moved towards establishing a national identity, which celebrated its unique scenery.

Held in a gilt frame with foliate.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 46” x 36½” / 117cm x 93cm
Year of creation: c. 1860
Condition: Artwork presents well. Fine craquelure but the paint is stable. One patched repair. Frame with some light wear.