Artwork
A Beech Wood in May near Iselingen Manor, Zealand
A Beech Wood in May near Iselingen Manor, Zealand is an oil painting by the Realist artist P. C. Skovgaard. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. P.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition integrates natural elements such as grass and Taraxacum (dandelions) within a forest setting, capturing the vitality of spring.
Painted in 1857, the work depicts a specific landscape scene: a beech wood located near Iselingen Manor in Zealand during the month of May. The composition integrates natural elements such as grass and Taraxacum (dandelions) within a forest setting, capturing the vitality of spring. Beyond the flora, the iconography includes human and animal figures, specifically a man, a child, and a dog, suggesting a narrative of leisure or interaction within the Danish countryside.
While the title anchors the location in Zealand, metadata also associates the depiction with Sweden, potentially reflecting broader Scandinavian landscape themes common to the era. The inclusion of specific individuals, such as Martin Hammerich, alongside generic figures, implies the painting may represent a particular moment or gathering rather than an idealized, uninhabited wilderness. Together, these elements portray a harmonious relationship between humanity and the rejuvenated natural world of early summer.
Technique & Style
The painting is an oil work on canvas, produced in 1857 and classified as a painting. It measures 214.1 × 183.1 cm and depicts a beech wood near Iselingen Manor in May, featuring a child, a dog, and flora such as Taraxacum and grass. The work belongs to the Statens Museum for Kunst collection and was included in the exhibition Dansk Guldalder – Verdenskunst mellem to katastrofer. Its subject matter integrates naturalistic detail with a carefully arranged grouping of figures and vegetation.
History & Provenance
P. C. Skovgaard created the oil painting A Beech Wood in May near Iselingen Manor, Zealand in 1857. Executed on canvas, the work measures 214.1 by 183.1 centimeters. The piece depicts a forest scene near Iselingen during May, featuring figures including a man, a child, and a dog, alongside natural elements such as grass and Taraxacum.
The painting is currently held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, where it is also located. Historically, the work was included in the exhibition Dansk Guldalder - Verdenskunst mellem to katastrofer. While the specific commission details and earlier ownership transfers are not enumerated in the available records, the work's inception is firmly established as January 1, 1857.
The painting is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, which serves as its current location. While specific inventory or accession numbers are not detailed in the available records, the work is formally classified within the museum's holdings as an oil on canvas created in 1857. The piece has been featured in at least one documented exhibition titled 'Dansk Guldalder - Verdenskunst mellem to katastrofer' (Danish Golden Age - World Art Between Two Disasters).
This exhibition history highlights the work's significance within the context of 19th-century Danish art, though further details regarding loan history or previous display venues are not provided in the current sources.
Overview
P. C. Skovgaard, a leading figure of the Danish Golden Age, created A Beech Wood in May near Iselingen Manor, Zealand in 1857. This oil painting exemplifies his focus on the Danish landscape, presenting a vibrant spring scene within a sun-dappled beech forest. The work captures a moment of quiet daily life, showcasing Skovgaard's characteristic detailed observation and atmospheric rendering of nature. It is a significant example of 19th-century Danish Realism.
Context
As a central figure in the Golden Age of Danish Painting, P. C. Skovgaard dedicated his career to depicting the unique character of the Danish landscape. This 1857 work reflects the period's broader artistic trends, where a focus on national identity often manifested through detailed and evocative portrayals of local scenery. His paintings, including this one, offered viewers a contemplative vision of their homeland, blending natural beauty with a sense of peaceful human activity.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Peter Christian Thamsen Skovgaard (4 April 1817 – 13 April 1875), known as P. C. Skovgaard, was a Danish national romantic landscape painter. He is considered one of the leading landscape painters of the 19th century…
- A Beech Wood in May near Iselingen Manor, Zealand
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