This extensive early 20th-century oil painting by Danish artist Viggo Pedersen (1854-1926) depicts a sunlit lake, mature oak trees, hayfield, horses and figure. It’s a large work, almost certainly intended for exhibition.

Pedersen was an important member of the Danish artistic community and worked tirelessly to evolve his style throughout his successful career. Over time, his brushwork became looser and more expressive, which brought him closer to the progressive European artists of his generation.

In 1891, he co-founded Den Frie Udstilling (The Free Exhibition), established as a rebellion against the traditional views of the Danish Academy. Eminent contemporaries such as Vilhelm Hammershøi, Peder Severin Krøyer, Kristian Zahrtmann, Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh exhibited there.

Here, in this masterly piece from around 1920, the subject is sunlight with each element presented with contrasting degrees of illumination. It’s a symphony of light effects, composed by nature herself. The trees, striking in near-silhouette, are juxtaposed with the buoyancy of a shimmering lake. While the clouds, captured in all their complexity, appear to pass over us, caught by a light breeze.

The view is reminiscent of another work ‘Near Skarridsø On Zealand’, which he produced in 1921.

Signed in the lower right and held within a gilt frame.

Learn more about Viggo Pedersen in our directory.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 49” x 40½” / 124cm x 103cm
Year of creation: c. 1920
Provenance: Private collection, Denmark.
Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Frame with light marks and signs of age.
Artist’s auction maximum: £34,000 for ‘Picking Poppies, Sora (1884)’, Oil on canvas, Sotheby's, 19th Century European Paintings Including The Scandinavian Sale, London, 2002 (lot 157).
Our reference: BRV1818