Who painted Landscape from Finnmark?

Landscape from Finnmark was painted by Peder Balke in 1860-01-01.

Where can I see Landscape from Finnmark?

Landscape from Finnmark is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Landscape from Finnmark

Landscape from Finnmark is an oil painting by Peder Balke. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

These iconographic choices evoke themes of resilience and the sublime in nature, reflecting Balke's fascination with remote Arctic environments.

The work portrays a rugged northern terrain marked by a solitary tree, a prominent rock formation, and distant mountains, elements that echo the stark, elemental character of Finnmark's landscape. These iconographic choices evoke themes of resilience and the sublime in nature, reflecting Balke's fascination with remote Arctic environments.

The painting’s symbolic weight lies in its representation of untouched wilderness, a visual metaphor for both spiritual contemplation and the harsh realities of frontier life. As part of Balke's exploration of landscape as a vehicle for emotional intensity, the composition transcends mere topography to suggest an inner, almost existential dialogue with the natural world.

Technique & Style

Peder Balke created Landscape from Finnmark in 1860 using oil paint applied to canvas. The work measures 34.9 cm by 52.1 cm and depicts a northern landscape featuring trees, mountains, and rocks in a loose, expressive manner characteristic of his later style. It is currently held by Statens Museum for Kunst, where it has been on long-term loan since 2014. The painting was included in the exhibition Peder Balke: Vision and Revolution.

History & Provenance

Peder Balke created Landscape from Finnmark in 1860 using oil paint on canvas. The artwork was subsequently owned by Asbjørn Lunde, who possessed it as of 2014. It is presently on long-term loan to the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is housed. The painting was also featured in the exhibition Peder Balke: Vision and Revolution.

Landscape from Finnmark is held at the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, where it resides on a long-term loan from private collector Asbjørn Lunde. The work, created by Peder Balke in 1860, is cataloged within the museum's collection of landscape paintings. Its documented exhibition history includes the show titled Peder Balke: Vision and Revolution.

Overview

Created in 1860, Landscape from Finnmark is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Peder Balke. The canvas presents a stark, northern terrain dominated by rugged rock formations, a solitary, twisted tree, and a distant, dark mountain under a pale, softly illuminated sky. Snow lightly covers the ground, emphasizing the cold atmosphere of the scene.

Winter Landscape near Vordingborg, Denmark

Artist & collection

Artist

Peder Balke

Peder Balke (November 4, 1804 – February 5, 1887) was a Norwegian painter. He is known for portraying the landscape of Norway in a romantic and dramatic manner.

Museum

Statens Museum for Kunst

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