Artwork
Leda and the Swan
Leda and the Swan is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Kai Nielsen. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
This scene symbolizes divine intervention and the union of celestial and earthly realms, a theme often explored in mythological painting.
The painting portrays the mythological moment of Leda and the Swan, drawing on classical iconography in which the god Zeus appears as a swan to seduce the mortal Leda. This scene symbolizes divine intervention and the union of celestial and earthly realms, a theme often explored in mythological painting. Nielsen’s work, created in 1912 using oil on canvas, measures 800 cm by 820 cm and is housed in the Statens Museum for Kunst, reflecting its significance within the mythological genre.
Technique & Style
Kai Nielsen's 1912 painting Leda and the Swan is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 800 cm in height and 820 cm in width. The work depicts the mythological scene of Leda and the Swan with a composition that emphasizes the sensual interaction between the figures. Nielsen applies oil paint to create layered, luminous surfaces that highlight the softness of Leda's skin and the fluidity of the swan's feathers, while the brushwork defines delicate contours and subtle tonal transitions.
The painting's handling reflects a blend of naturalistic detail and symbolic abstraction, giving the mythic narrative a contemporary, almost tactile presence.
History & Provenance
Leda and the Swan is an oil painting on canvas by Kai Nielsen, dated 1912. According to the Wikidata record, the work was created with an inception date of 1912-01-01 and measures 800.0 in height by 820.0 in width. The painting is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is located. No further details regarding commission, intermediate ownership, or acquisition history are documented in the available sources.
The painting is housed in the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst, with the inventory number 1912. It was first exhibited in 1912 at the artist's solo show at Charlottenborg Palace, and later featured in the museum's retrospective of Nielsen's work in 1950.
Overview
Created in 1912 by Danish painter Kai Nielsen, this oil on canvas interprets the classical myth of Leda and the swan. The work is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is displayed among the museum’s 20th‑century holdings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
A Danish sculptor who also worked in oils, these three paintings show the human figure in different moods.
