This early 20th-century expressive landscape painting by Danish artist Julius Paulsen depicts a cottage nestled in the woods.

It’s painted quickly with a rhythmical approach and poetic passages in Wintery hues. The woodland floor is a little more than a suggestion of greens laid down in broad marks and daubs. The cottage, with its sunlit wall, is blocky in appearance.

Paulsen was highly regarded during his lifetime and predominantly known for his finer works. This piece, with its loose handling, is uncharacteristic and it’s interesting to consider why. In 1934, when he produced this, he was 74, which could suggest that his approach became freer as he reached his Autumn years. But, when we consider his other known works from this period, they’re just as fine as his earlier ones.

Could it be a study? Probably not as it wasn’t a typical subject for him. So we’ve concluded that he simply enjoyed painting this way - a liberal approach to brushwork in contrast to his more formal exhibition pieces. Every now and then all artists need to break free of peer expectations in search of something straight from the heart. We love it.

Paulsen trained at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen and later became a professor. His works are held in many public collections including Frederiksborg Palace.

Signed, dated ‘Christmas, 1934' and framed.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 43” x 34½” / 109cm x 88cm
Year of creation: 1934
Provenance: Private collection, Denmark.
Condition: Artwork presents well. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £21,979
Our reference: BRV1165