This mid-19th-century oil painting by Danish artist Carsten Henrichsen (1824-1897) depicts a figure extracting peat before a picturesque summer landscape.
Born the son of an innkeeper, Henrichsen’s artistic prospects were limited, as undertaking formal tuition was a costly affair. However, fortunately, the distinguished Danish master, Frederik Christian Kiærskou, (1805-1891) noticed the boy’s potential and encouraged him to seek funding from willing patrons. It’s not clear how he knew Kiærskou but it’s tempting to consider whether he frequented his father’s inn.
Academic patronage was forthcoming from various sources including ‘Baron Løvenskjold’ and in 1840, he enrolled at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. The emphasis at the Academy was on honing one’s drawing skills, particularly in figure work, and it’s here that he excelled. It’s said that he initially pursued a career as a figure painter but soon switched to landscapes for financial reasons.
He enjoyed exploring the rural areas around Copenhagen and also the rolling vistas of North Zealand. In a detailed style similar to Kiærskou’s, he captured the topographical minutiae with careful observation. His works carry a quaint sense of nostalgia - they celebrate simple rural crafts and the virtues of being intrinsically bound to nature. There’s also an abundance of national pride wrapped into his charming depictions.
Here, in this piece from 1872, he’s captured a moment of everyday labour for a hard-working rural family. One figure appears to be extracting peat and his ankles are immersed in water. While to the left, several mounds are drying by an adjacent building. A second figure works in the distance.
It’s fascinating to see this industry recorded for posterity.
Carsten Henrichsen exhibited for almost 50 years at the prestigious Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition in Copenhagen. Many of his works are on a small scale.
Monogrammed/dated lower right and held within a gilt frame.
Learn more about Carsten Henrichsen in our directory.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 33” x 25½” / 84cm x 65cm
Year of creation: 1872
Provenance: Private collection, Denmark.
Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Revarnished. Fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Frame with light marks and signs of age.
Artist’s auction maximum: £5,175 for ‘Summer landscape, Langelinie’, Oil on canvas, Copenhagen, Dutch & Danish Old Masters, 1988 (517).
Our reference: BRV1853
