Artwork
Idyl på heden

Idyl på heden is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Johannes Wilhjelm. It dates from 1908 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition features a man and a woman accompanied by a flock of sheep, establishing a pastoral narrative within the natural environment.
Johannes Wilhjelm's 1908 oil painting presents a landscape scene set upon a heath. The composition features a man and a woman accompanied by a flock of sheep, establishing a pastoral narrative within the natural environment.
By depicting human figures alongside livestock in this open terrain, the work embodies the genre of landscape painting while focusing on rural life and the interaction between people and nature on the Danish heath.
Technique & Style
Johannes Wilhjelm's 1908 landscape painting Idyl på heden is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The work measures 105.5 cm in height and 184.5 cm in width. Stylistically, the piece belongs to the landscape genre and depicts a heath scene populated by figures of a man and a woman alongside sheep. The composition captures the specific rural atmosphere characteristic of the artist's treatment of the Danish heathland.
History & Provenance
Johannes Wilhjelm created the oil painting Idyl på heden in 1908. Executed on canvas, the work depicts a landscape scene featuring a man, a woman, and sheep on a heath. The painting entered the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains housed.
The painting Idyl på heden by Johannes Wilhjelm is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen. Created in 1908, the work is cataloged within the museum's holdings as an oil on canvas landscape. The provided sources do not contain a specific inventory or accession number for the piece, nor do they list any exhibition history for the artwork.
Overview
Johannes Wilhjelm's 1908 oil painting, Idyl på heden, captures a serene landscape. The work exemplifies the Danish artist's characteristic approach to natural settings, often featuring vibrant colors. It presents a tranquil heath scene populated by human figures and grazing sheep, reflecting a common theme in his oeuvre. This piece is part of the collection at Statens Museum for Kunst.
Context
Johannes Wilhjelm was associated with the Skagen artists' colony, a group renowned for their depictions of the distinctive northern Danish landscapes. While Idyl på heden represents a broader natural setting, it aligns with this artistic community's dedication to capturing the country's outdoor environments. Wilhjelm's artistic output also included religious subjects and portraiture, showcasing his versatility beyond landscapes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johannes Martin Fasting Wilhjelm (7 January 1868 – 22 December 1938) was a Danish painter.


















