This fine mid-19th-century oil painting by Danish artist Frederik Christian Kiærskou (1805-1891) depicts a picturesque view with a farmer driving oxon pulling timber. Kiærskou was a distinguished painter of landscapes.
Under the sleepy glow of an evening sun, two muscular oxen haul a timber-laden cart along a dusty rutted track. The trees, gently illuminated, guide us towards the horizon. While a distant church, a flash of brilliant white, stands poignantly among tinted fields. Kiærskou was astonishingly consistent, perfecting the art of capturing exceedingly charming rural idylls with accomplished handling.
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 blink. 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.
Signed/dated and held within a contemporary frame.
Learn more about Frederik Christian Kiærskou in our directory.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 23½” x 18½” / 59cm x 47cm
Year of creation: 1856
Provenance: Private collection, Denmark.
Condition: Cleaned. Craquelure in areas. The paint layer is stable. Frame in excellent condition.
Artist’s auction maximum: £12,000 for ‘A View Towards Sorø Academy (1875)’, Oil on canvas, Christie’s, 19th Century European Art, London, 2011 (lot 38).
Our reference: BRV1952
