Visualizing the Danish Landscape

The Danish Golden Age of painting was an artistic movement that occurred in the early nineteenth century. During this time, Denmark was beginning to develop its own artistic style, with much of it focusing on the natural landscape within the country. This period was important to Denmark's development of a national identity, especially during a time of great political change and warfare. Through various forms of art, the Danish landscape was transformed into a new perspective, reinforcing the importance of nature in Denmark, and how it can be a symbol of national pride.

Christen Købke

Frederiksborg Castle in the Evening Light, 1835

At the beginning of the Golden Age, paintings were often exaggerated or enhance to imply grandeur and power to Denmark's landscape. An example of this technique would be adding height to cliffs or trees to add a contrast between humans and nature. By doing this, the viewer would perceive Denmark's landscape as a force to be reckoned with, and something that every Dane should value and cherish. Additional methods included manipulating the lighting, weather, or sky in order to make the painting more optimistic and hopeful. Most of this style was applied to scenes in the Danish heartland, or historic castles. The beauty and peacefulness portrayed in these works aspired to free the Danes of worry, and think positively about the future. Just as walking in a park could relieve stress in your day, owning a Golden Age painting of a country lane could bring you solace, nostalgia, and patriotism towards your nation at the end of a long work day.

P.S. Krøyer
Summer day at the South Beach of Skagen 1884
Oil on canvas. 154.5 x 212.5 cm

As the Golden Age continued, alternative styles were applied to the composition of the painting. At this time, humans became larger and more in-focus. In the painting below, the married couple are the centerpiece of the painting, and are compared to the boats on the water drifting apart. This symbolism implies the tragic process of falling out of love. Along with this compositional change, paintings began to express more realism so that it actually portrayed Denmark as the human eye would see it. This sense of Golden Age painting formed a closer relationship between people and nature. This marriage of subjects allows the viewer to perceive the Danish landscape as something relatable and tangible. The Golden Age artists accomplished this perception byway of internalizing what they saw, and creating a more personalized expression. Overall, this movement continues to inspire others, and remind Danes of their national identity and lifestyle.

P.S. Krøyer
Summer evening on the beach at Skagen. The painter and his wife 1899
Oil on canvas. 135 x 187 cm