This mid-19th-century oil painting by Danish artist Johannes Boesen (1847-1916) depicts a leafy forest view with a tranquil stream.
Boesen’s buoyant and verdant works celebrate nature under the abundant glow of mid-summer. Inspired by the teachings of his master, the eminent P. C. Skovgaard (1817-1875), he drew upon the grandeur of the Danish Golden Age painters to portray a beautified version of rural Denmark.
Note the light effects on the stream, which create a shimmering effect. The luscious foliage reflected with adroit handling. And the distant misty uplands, which peek through a radiant gap in the trees. The plants in the foreground are also rendered sublimely - a still life in their own right.
Painted in 1868, this was produced in the same year that Boesen debuted at the prestigious Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition. It’s probably a view within the abundant woodlands around Copenhagen.
Signed/dated and framed.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 33½” x 25½” / 85cm x 65cm
Year of creation: 1868
Provenance: Private collection, Denmark.
Condition: Artwork presents well. Fine craquelure but the paint is stable. Canvas relined. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £8,720
Johannes Boesen was a successful artist whose effusive, atmospheric works of the Danish landscape saw him carrying on the traditions of Danish art as well as embracing newer influences during the second half of the 19th century. He trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and exhibited at the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition.
Learn more about Johannes Boesen in our directory.
We care profoundly about our role as custodians and every piece in the collection has been assessed by our conservator. When required, we undertake professional restoration carefully using reversible techniques and adopt a light touch to retain the aged charm of each work. We also often restore frames rather than replace them as many are original and selected by the artists themselves.
