uncovering scandinavian romanticism
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Uncovering Scandinavian Romanticism
Maddie Crawford
In any given art history book the section on Scandinavian art will be quite brief, if
included at all. However, Scandinavia is a place ripe with artists. Art was created during all
of the major time periods in Scandinavia. One such movement, known as the Romantic
period launched landscape artists such as Hans Gude, Lars Hetervig, Johan Thomas
Lundbye, Peter Skovgaard, Vilhelm Kyhn, and Johan Christan Dahl. Scandinavian
Landscape painters of the1800s represented the typical Romantic characteristics common
of the era in Europe.
At the end of the eighteenth century, a new movement called Romanticism was
sweeping across Europe. Romanticism was not only an artistic movement but also an
intellectual movement. The Romantic era was a revolt against the orderly and simplistic
style of previous Neo-Classicism. All Romanticts were huge lovers of nature. Supporters of
the Romantic movement were strongly against the Neo-Classicism belief of rationalizing
nature through science. The value of untamed nature was highly appreciated by the artists
of the Romantic era. Romantic art placed a new importance on emotions such as horror and
amazement. Spontaneity and the supernatural were also aroused during the era.
Hans Frederick Gude is considered one of Norways foremost landscape painters.
Gude was born in Christiania in 1825 and at only eight years old began attending evening
art classes at the Royal School of Drawing. Gude entered the art scene at only nineteen
years old with his first painting titled Mountain Heights1. The painting is styled in a mono-
1See appendix A
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chromatic grey, yet appears upbeat. Mountain Heights portrays a cold evening in autumn
with a low valley with a large lake as the focal point of the piece. The minimalistic styling
of the cabins in the lower corner portray the vastness of nature. The painting created great
positive response for Gude and was later purchased by Kunstforeningen in Christiania. The
painting however now resides in the National Gallery of Norway and is considered to be
Gudes best work. In his later years, Gude became obsessed with the ocean. He was
fascinated by the emotions of the tides, how the light reflected on the water, and how
quickly the mood of the sea could change. His painting, The Bridal procession in
Hardanger
2
, painted in 1848, is considered to be the seminal of Norwegian Romanticism.
Gude created the piece after an emotional evening at the theatre. Gude paid close attention
to detail in the waves of the sea and created a beautiful representation of the water.
Everything from the waves to the water dripping off of the paddle of the boat reveals a
strong love for the ocean. The Bridal Procession is now privately owned in Oslo.
Lars Hetervig, another notable Norwegian landscape painter was born in 1820, into
a poor Quaker family in Tysvaer. Despite his humble beginnings, at age twenty-two
Hetervig went on to study art privately under Gude at the Arts Academy of Dusseldorf.
However, Hetervig was forced to leave the academy after completing only two years of
education due to a mental breakdown. When Hetervig returned home he was diagnosed
with melancholia3. The dark life Hetervig faced is reflected in his artwork and distinguishes
him from other artists. Although Hetervigs works contain depressing tones and darkness, a
strong love of nature is also present. The painting Ancient Pine Forest4 is one of
Hetervigs best pieces. Hetervig portrayed a somber, broken down forest under an immense
2 See appendix B3 A mental condition marked by persistent depression and ill-founded fears.4 See appendix C
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blue sky. Hetervig successfully expressed the sadness he was experiencing due to his
illness while paying tribute to nature. Hetervig struggled financially during his lifetime and
often painted on paper that was not sufficient. Hetervig was known to patch pieces of paper
together with homemade glue. Lars Hetervig was largely unknown during his lifetime and
died in the poorhouse in 1902. It wasnt until 1914, when his work was shown at the
Jubilee exposition in Christiania that Hetervig was truly recognized.
Johan Christian Clausson Dahl was born February 24, 1788 in Norway. Like
Skovgaard, Lundbye, and Kyhn, Dahl also studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine
Arts. Dahl loved the beautiful nature of Norway. As a child he wrote in depth of his love of
Danish landscape. Dahl portrayed his love of nature in his painting Stalheim5Dahls
painting consists of dramatically composed mountains under a rainbow. Herds of animals
graze in the foreground along with a collection of cabins. Dahls love of nature is evident
throughout his works. Although Dahl was Norwegian he spent his time equally between
Denmark and Norway. Dahls talent earned him the title of father of Norwegian landscape
painting.
Johan Thomas Lundbye was born in September 1818 in Denmark. Lundbye began
studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Art at the young age of fourteen. Lundbye was
extremely kind-hearted and was known not only for his landscape paintings, but also for
his strong patriotism and love of children and animals. Lundbyes technique of painting is
rhythmical and poetic. Lundbye painted one of his best known works Two Cows in an
Open Field6 in 1845. The painting displays two cows prominent in the foreground,
emphasizing Lundbyes characteristic love of animals. The landscape in the background
5 See appendix D6 See appendix E
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shows an immense field and high mountains. Lundbyes appreciation of the untamed is
shown in the fact that the two cows relax freely outside of barriers. Lundbyes artistic
career ended when the First War of Schleswig broke out. In the spring of 1848 at thirty
years old, Lundbye enlisted in the army but died only eight days into his term of service.
Peter Christian Thamsen Skovgaard born April 4, 1817 is considered the most
influential Danish Romantic-era landscape painter. Skovgaard showed early promise
artistically and like Lundbye, was sent to study at the Royal Danish Academy of Art at the
age of fourteen7. Early on Skovgaard painted portraits and interiors but soon allowed his
strong love of nature to become the central focus of his career. Skovgaard was also more
educated in botany than any other Scandinavian artist of the time. Skovgaard searched
deep into nature in order to give a unique perspective of Danish landscapes. Skovgaard
preferred to portray the wild untamed side of nature over placid scenes. His painting View
to Frederiksvrk from Tisvilde Forest8 portrays a prominent forest with a large lake in the
background. The wildness of the scene was common to Skovgaard as well as the dark
mood of the subject. In later years Skovgaard would move onto much more peaceful
paintings. He began painting idealized nature, when the sap was rising highest, or when
trees were fully grown and beautiful. His painting, Beach Forest in May9 represents his
later style. The painting has a young couple standing together on a path surrounded by a
vast forest. The trees within the forest appear to be ripe with life under a beautiful blue sky.
Skovgaard added tiny details to contribute to the mood of the scene such as a group of
children and also a dog. Although the young couple is where the eye is led immediately,
the large forest overshadows them and is the focal point of the artwork.
7 Skovgaard and Lundbye developed a close friendship at the academy8 See appendix F9 See appendix G
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Vilhelm Kyhn, another notable Danish landscape painter was born March 30, 1819.
However unlike Skovgaard and Lundbye, he was not allowed to study art as a young
teenager because his father was against his dreams of becoming an artist. However, he
went on to study at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1836 at the age of
seventeen. Kyhn released his first landscape painting A View of the Beach on
Bornholm10 in 1845. This first piece was close to Kyhns heart because it was one of his
favorite places he often visited. A depiction of rolling hills covered with varying foliage is
present within the scene. A winding path towards the beach is the focal point of the piece
and the water is present on the left and right sides of the artwork. The artwork was later
purchased by the Danish Royal Painting Collection. Kyhn is not well-known in the art
world because his talent was restricted. He lacked Lundbyes poetic style and Skovgaards
strong sense of form. The only reason Kyhn is recognized is because he presented a fresh
and original feeling for nature within his works.
Contrary to popular belief, Scandinavia has produced great art throughout history.
During the Romantic era many artists arose to great prominence in Scandinavia. Hans
Gude was best known for his depictions of the coast in Norway. Lars Hetervig is
distinguished by his somber yet upbeat illustrations of Norwegian landscapes. Norwegian
painter Johan Thomas Lundbye is famous for incorporating children and animals into his
pieces. Danish man Vilhelm Kyhn presented deep feeling for nature within his works. Peter
Skovgaard searched deep into nature to give his very own unique view of Danish
landscapes. Johan Dahl rose to fame as the father of modern Norwegian landscape
painting. Landscape painters of the 1800s in Scandinavia represented the typical romantic
characteristics in Europe.
10 See appendix H
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Appendix A
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Hans Gude
Mountain Heights
Appendix B
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Hans Gude
Bridal Procession in Hardanger
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Appendix C
Lars HetervigAncient Pine Forest
Appendix D
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Johan Dahl
Stalheim
Appendix E
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Johan Thomas LundbyeTwo Cows in an Open Field
Appendix F
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Peter Christian Thamsen SkovgaardView to Frederiksvrk from Tisvilde Forest
Appendix G
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Peter SkovgaardBeach Forest in May
Appendix H
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Vilhelm KyhnA View of the Beach on Bornholm
Bibliography
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"Hans Gude ."gonorway.net. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2011..
"Johan Lundbye ." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Nov. 2011. .
Laurin, Carl G., Emil Hannover, and Jens Thiis. Scandinavian art. New York: B. Blom,
1968. Print.
Little, Stephen. -isms: understanding art. New York: Universe, 2004. Print.
"P. C. Skovgaard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. .
Stokstad, Marilyn, Marion Spears Grayson, and Stephen Addiss.Art history. New York:
H.N. Abrams, 1995. Print.
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Uncovering
Scandinavian
Romanticism
Madison Crawford
November 2011