Who painted Forstudie til "Solregn. Gentofte Sø"?

Forstudie til "Solregn. Gentofte Sø" was painted by Vilhelm Hammershøi in 1903-01-01.

Where can I see Forstudie til "Solregn. Gentofte Sø"?

Forstudie til "Solregn. Gentofte Sø" is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Forstudie til "Solregn. Gentofte Sø"?

Forstudie til "Solregn. Gentofte Sø" is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Forstudie til "Solregn. Gentofte Sø"?

Museum-quality prints of Forstudie til "Solregn. Gentofte Sø" are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Forstudie til "Solregn. Gentofte Sø"

Vilhelm Hammershøi , 1903

Forstudie til "Solregn. Gentofte Sø" is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Vilhelm Hammershøi. It dates from 1903 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created in 1903, Forstudie til “Solregn.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

In this preparatory work, the artist experiments with light and atmosphere, foreshadowing the luminous quality of the finished painting Solregn.

The study depicts a view of Gentofte Sø, a lake near Copenhagen, under bright sunlight filtered through foliage. Hammershøi renders the scene with muted tones and soft light, focusing on the interplay between the shimmering water, the dense trees along the shore, and the expansive sky above. The composition emphasizes stillness and quiet reflection, capturing a moment of serene natural beauty rather than dramatic action.

In this preparatory work, the artist experiments with light and atmosphere, foreshadowing the luminous quality of the finished painting Solregn. Gentofte Sø (1903). The subject reflects Hammershøi’s recurring interest in tranquil, introspective landscapes, where nature becomes a space for contemplation rather than narrative.

Technique & Style

The study is executed in oil paint on canvas, measuring 380.0 cm by 460.0 cm, and depicts Gentofte Lake with a solitary tree beneath an expansive sky. The composition emphasizes atmospheric light and subtle tonal gradations characteristic of Hammershøi's mature style, while the brushwork remains restrained, allowing the reflective surface of the water to dominate the visual field. This handling of space and atmosphere aligns with the artist's focus on quiet, contemplative scenes drawn from everyday Danish landscapes.

History & Provenance

Vilhelm Hammershøi created Forstudie til "Solregn. Gentofte Sø" in 1903. The artwork, which serves as a preparatory study for a larger composition, depicts Gentofte Lake alongside trees and the sky. Measuring 380 by 460 cm, the painting is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

The study belongs to the Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, where it is recorded as accessioned and held in the national collection.

It has been exhibited as part of the museum’s holdings; the work was included in the exhibition “Hammershøi og Europa” held at Statens Museum for Kunst in 2014.

Overview

Created in 1903, Forstudie til “Solregn. Gentofte Sø” is a modestly sized oil painting by Danish artist Vilhelm Hammershøi. The work records a tranquil view of Gentofte Lake, capturing the lake’s surface, a solitary tree and an expansive sky. It is part of the permanent collection of Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen.