This early 20th-century oil painting by Danish artist Rudolf Bissen (1846-1911) depicts a leafy autumnal view with lake, oak trees, and boat. Bissen was an award-winning Danish painter of naturalistic landscapes.
As autumn sets in, conspicuous leaves with golden hues are illuminated by a cool Nordic light. A rowing boat pulled up into grasses, rests on the banks of a lake. Perhaps it’s Karlssø in central Jutland where the artist visited in the same year.
Born in Copenhagen, Bissen honed his formative skills under the guidance of Denmark’s leading landscape painter, Peter Christian Skovgaard (1817-1875). The young man was immersed in Skovgaard’s grand vistas, which celebrated the Danish panorama.
From here, he began studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts where he advanced his draughtsmanship, learning from the masters. It’s possible that he encountered the renowned JL Lund (1777-1867) during this time, who encouraged students to study the models of Dutch landscape painting from the 17th century.
A precocious talent, Bissen developed rapidly, debuting at the prestigious Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition in 1868, before heading for the sun-drenched hills of Italy. During this early period, many of his works depict broad Italian views under blistering skies and undulant scenery culminating in a misty glow. Upon his return, inspired by Italian grandeur, he enlivened the Danish landscape, emphasising its profound beauty.
Aside from his academic studies, he was also inspired by his good friend Thorvald Niss (1842-1905), one of the ‘Skagen Painters’. This group of like-minded young pioneers adopted a looser touch to capture idyllic views along the shifting coastal dunes of Skagen - they were essentially the Danish impressionists. So on one hand, Bissen had a rigid academic understanding, while on the other, he was excited to paint outside with rapid brushwork.
His array of influences culminated in consistent success and he was awarded the Eckersberg Medal in 1892, while also receiving an honourable mention at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. His works serve as fascinating examples of Denmark’s evolving artistic philosophies.
He's represented at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
Signed/dated in the lower left and held within a gilt frame, which is probably original.
Learn more about Rudolf Bissen in our directory.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 37½” x 29½” / 95cm x 75cm
Year of creation: 1901
Provenance: Private collection, Denmark.
Condition: Cleaned. Areas of fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Frame with various marks and showing its age.
Artist’s auction maximum: £7,452 for ‘Landscape from Italy (1874)’, Oil on canvas, Copenhagen, 2021.
Our reference: BRV1860
