Harald Foss, Pastoral Scene in Virkland, Denmark, Oil Painting

1900 - 1920

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

A peaceful landscape painting depicting a view in Virkland across to the Thorsø hills by Danish artist Harald Foss (1843-1922).

Foss loved this area and he’s captured the effects of light so beautifully as it illuminates the lake and three grazing sheep. Towards the foreground, he’s also added small flecks of white to give the grass a gentle shimmering effect.

Foss was a master of hilly terrain and he trained under the great P.C. Skovgaard (1817-1875) who is considered one of the finest painters of the Danish Golden Age. Both artists adopted a romantic approach to landscape painting that was driven by their love for Danish rural life. It’s said that Foss was so enamoured with the countryside that he was known to omit buildings if they spoilt his view.

Towards the end of his life, he settled in Virkland and ran a Summer painting school that became a huge success. Students enjoyed the freedom of the natural environment and Foss was undoubtedly an enthusiastic teacher.

The painting is signed in the lower right and inscribed ‘Virkland 1900’.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 21” x 15½” / 53cm x 39cm

Year of creation: 1900

Provenance: Denmark

Condition: Some scuffing around the periphery due to its previous frame but otherwise fine. Canvas relined.

Artist’s auction highlight: £7,380 achieved for ‘Bramsnaes’ (88 x 113cm) in 2008.

Physical Dimensions

Height

39cm (15.35")

Width

53cm (20.87")

Depth

1cm (0.39")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA711017

Description

A peaceful landscape painting depicting a view in Virkland across to the Thorsø hills by Danish artist Harald Foss (1843-1922).

“

Foss loved this area and he’s captured the effects of light so beautifully as it illuminates the lake and three grazing sheep.

Brave Fine Art

Towards the foreground, he’s also added small flecks of white to give the grass a gentle shimmering effect.

fig 1. Harald Foss, Pastoral Scene In Virkland, Denmark, Oil Painting — fig 1. Harald Foss, Pastoral Scene in Virkland, Denmark, Oil Painting

Foss was a master of hilly terrain and he trained under the great P.C. Skovgaard (1817-1875) who is considered one of the finest painters of the Danish Golden Age. Both artists adopted a romantic approach to landscape painting that was driven by their love for Danish rural life. It’s said that Foss was so enamoured with the countryside that he was known to omit buildings if they spoilt his view.

fig 2. Harald Foss, Pastoral Scene In Virkland, Denmark, Oil Painting — fig 2. Harald Foss, Pastoral Scene in Virkland, Denmark, Oil Painting

Towards the end of his life, he settled in Virkland and ran a Summer painting school that became a huge success. Students enjoyed the freedom of the natural environment and Foss was undoubtedly an enthusiastic teacher.