Harald Foss, Pastoral Scene In Virkland, Denmark

A peaceful landscape painting depicting a view in Virkland across to the Thorsø hills by Danish artist Harald Foss (1843-1922).

Foss loved this area and he’s captured the effects of light so beautifully as it illuminates the lake and three grazing sheep. Towards the foreground, he’s also added small flecks of white to give the grass a gentle shimmering effect.

Foss was a master of hilly terrain and he trained under the great P.C. Skovgaard (1817-1875) who is considered one of the finest painters of the Danish Golden Age. Both artists adopted a romantic approach to landscape painting that was driven by their love for Danish rural life. It’s said that Foss was so enamoured with the countryside that he was known to omit buildings if they spoilt his view.

Towards the end of his life, he settled in Virkland and ran a Summer painting school that became a huge success. Students enjoyed the freedom of the natural environment and Foss was undoubtedly an enthusiastic teacher.

The painting is signed in the lower right and inscribed ‘Virkland 1900’.