This early 20th-century oil study by Danish artist Viggo Pedersen (1854-1926) depicts a vibrant landscape with grazing cattle at Hestehaven, Denmark.
Under a buoyant evening sun, Pedersen stood by his easel to capture this verdant scene. Unshackled by the expectations of the Academy and immersed in the complexities of ‘plein air’. He describes a view uplifted by light - the trees aglow with life as if emerging from the earth for the very first time. The sky peppered with clouds, the grasses radiating.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, he chose to paint what he saw rather than ‘improve’ a subject with additions or reductions. Note the sky with its realistic formations and the contorted forms of the furthest trees - unbeautified, just rhythmical, expressive and true.
In 1911, he exhibited a larger, nearly identical, work titled ‘Brynet, Hestehaven, Evening Sun, Hillerod’ at ‘Den Frie’, which was produced in 1910. We’re happy to share an exhibition photograph upon request.
Signed lower left and held within a gilt frame.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 39½” x 33½” / 100cm x 85cm
Year of creation: c. 1910
Condition: Artwork presents well. Fine craquelure but the paint is stable. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £34,000
Viggo Pedersen trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts where he later became a member. His works are held in numerous public collections including museums in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Helsinki.
Learn more about Viggo Pedersen 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.
