Who painted Two Cows in as Field near Vognserup Manor, Zealand?

Two Cows in as Field near Vognserup Manor, Zealand was painted by Johan Lundbye in 1847.

Where can I see Two Cows in as Field near Vognserup Manor, Zealand?

Two Cows in as Field near Vognserup Manor, Zealand is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Two Cows in as Field near Vognserup Manor, Zealand?

Two Cows in as Field near Vognserup Manor, Zealand is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Two Cows in as Field near Vognserup Manor, Zealand

Johan Lundbye , 1847

Two Cows in as Field near Vognserup Manor, Zealand is an oil painting by the Realist artist Johan Lundbye. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Johan Lundbye’s 1847 oil painting portrays a quiet rural scene on the island of Zealand. Two cows dominate the composition, one reclines while the other stands, set against a modest field edged with trees and low shrubbery. A distant building punctuates the horizon, and a clear sky with scattered clouds completes the tranquil landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The work centers on the everyday presence of livestock within the Danish countryside, emphasizing a calm, harmonious relationship between animal and land. By isolating the cows against a simple backdrop, Lundbye invites contemplation of pastoral steadiness and the unadorned beauty of agrarian life, reflecting a broader appreciation for national rural identity.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a restrained palette of earthy greens, muted browns, and soft blues. Lundbye’s handling of light creates subtle contrasts that model the cows and foliage, while the loose brushwork in the sky and distant foliage conveys atmospheric depth without disrupting the scene’s overall serenity.

History & Provenance

Created in 1847, the canvas entered the collection of Denmark’s National Gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. The painting has been documented in the museum’s holdings since the early 20th century, forming part of the institution’s representation of 19th‑century Danish landscape art.

Context

Lundbye worked under the influence of art historian Niels Laurits Høyen, who advocated for a nationalistic visual language rooted in Denmark’s own terrain. Alongside peers such as P. C. Skovgaard and Lorenz Frølich, Lundbye contributed to the National Romantic movement, focusing on the familiar scenery of Zealand to articulate a cultural identity tied to the land.