This beautiful early 20th-century landscape painting by Norwegian artist Johannes Grenness (1875-1963) depicts a view across water toward a dense forest.

The light is sublime with the foreground in shade and the further trees strongly lit.

Grenness tended to paint ‘en plein air’ (outside) and often captured tranquil views in Scandinavia. Influenced by the Impressionists, his brushwork feels easy yet also carefully considered. Note the diagonal lines to represent shimmering water, which increase in size as they reach the foreground. Grenness enjoyed this spot and conveys a calm atmosphere via the brushwork itself.

Johannes Grenness was born in Drammen, Norway but spent much of his life in Denmark. He studied at PS Krøyer's painting school and also under Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944) while in Munich. He’s highly regarded as a portraitist but his landscapes seem to capture his spirit.

Signed in the lower right and framed.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 19½” x 18” / 49cm x 46cm
Year of creation: c. 1920
Condition: Artwork presents well. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £7,805 achieved for ‘Lekende gutt på sten med seilbåt’ in 2006.