Alfred Broge, a View of Arrenakke Bakke - Very Large Antique Oil Painting

1900 - 1920

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

This early 20th-century oil painting by Danish artist Alfred Broge (1870-1955) depicts a dramatic sky over Arrenakke Bakke, Denmark.

Moments after heavy rainfall, the light conjures a dark orange glow transforming the Autumnal plains into otherworldly topography. Sandy pits dent the landscape, shaded by passing clouds, while the ancient ramp-like form of Arrenakke Bakke culminates in a sunlit peak. A gnarled tree, battered by gales, obscures a partial rainbow. Arresø lake, a mere light blue flash on the horizon.

Broge preferred the unusual. His interiors, like Hammershoi’s, were abundant with aloof figures - the backs of necks more prominent than obvious narratives. The Danes do this more than any other nation, it’s like a secret society of quiet stories that you’re only privy to if you unlock the artist’s icy imagination. It’s rare to find such emotional distancing in warmer climates, such as Spain and Italy, where paintings are rooted in song, vibrancy and bravura. But here, within the introversion of a chillier land, emerges works that bury deep emotion under heavy topsoil.

Climbing to the top of that hill at Arrenakke Bakke provides a jaw-dropping view across the vast Arresø lake. Yet Broge pitches his easel here, looking up at it. This is an artist that strays from the obvious - paints a seated woman reading but hides the book. Paints a girl by a window but obscures the garden. We’re on the outside but perhaps so is he.

Signed/dated lower left and held within its original gilt frame. Areas of sand fixed into the paint, indicating he painted en plein air.

Due to its size, it’s only available for UK delivery.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 56½” x 43½” / 143cm x 110cm

Year of creation: 1909

Labels & Inscriptions: Exhibition label from Den Frie - the Artists’ Autumn exhibition, established in opposition to the formal shows of the Danish Academy.

Condition: Artwork presents well. Canvas relined.

Artist’s auction maximum: £10,375

Alfred Broge trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and exhibited at Charlottenborg Palace.

Learn more about Alfred Broge in our directory.

Physical Dimensions

Height

110cm (43.31")

Width

143cm (56.30")

Depth

7cm (2.76")

Declaration

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

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA957868

Description

This early 20th-century oil painting by Danish artist Alfred Broge (1870-1955) depicts a dramatic sky over Arrenakke Bakke, Denmark.

“

Moments after heavy rainfall, the light conjures a dark orange glow transforming the Autumnal plains into otherworldly topography.

Brave Fine Art

Sandy pits dent the landscape, shaded by passing clouds, while the ancient ramp-like form of Arrenakke Bakke culminates in a sunlit peak. A gnarled tree, battered by gales, obscures a partial rainbow. Arresø lake, a mere light blue flash on the horizon.

fig 1. Alfred Broge, A View Of Arrenakke Bakke - Very Large Antique Oil Painting — fig 1. Alfred Broge, a View of Arrenakke Bakke - Very Large Antique Oil Painting

Broge preferred the unusual. His interiors, like Hammershoi’s, were abundant with aloof figures - the backs of necks more prominent than obvious narratives. The Danes do this more than any other nation, it’s like a secret society of quiet stories that you’re only privy to if you unlock the artist’s icy imagination. It’s rare to find such emotional distancing in warmer climates, such as Spain and Italy, where paintings are rooted in song, vibrancy and bravura. But here, within the introversion of a chillier land, emerges works that bury deep emotion under heavy topsoil.

fig 2. Alfred Broge, A View Of Arrenakke Bakke - Very Large Antique Oil Painting — fig 2. Alfred Broge, a View of Arrenakke Bakke - Very Large Antique Oil Painting

Climbing to the top of that hill at Arrenakke Bakke provides a jaw-dropping view across the vast Arresø lake. Yet Broge pitches his easel here, looking up at it. This is an artist that strays from the obvious - paints a seated woman reading but hides the book. Paints a girl by a window but obscures the garden. We’re on the outside but perhaps so is he.

fig 3. Alfred Broge, A View Of Arrenakke Bakke - Very Large Antique Oil Painting — fig 3. Alfred Broge, a View of Arrenakke Bakke - Very Large Antique Oil Painting

Signed/dated lower left and held within its original gilt frame. Areas of sand fixed into the paint, indicating he painted en plein air.

Due to its size, it’s only available for UK delivery.

Medium: Oil on canvas

fig 4. Alfred Broge, A View Of Arrenakke Bakke - Very Large Antique Oil Painting — fig 4. Alfred Broge, a View of Arrenakke Bakke - Very Large Antique Oil Painting

Overall size: 56½” x 43½” / 143cm x 110cm

Year of creation: 1909

Labels & Inscriptions: Exhibition label from Den Frie - the Artists’ Autumn exhibition, established in opposition to the formal shows of the Danish Academy.