Delhoved Wood near Lake Skarre, Zealand. Afternoon Light
P.C. Skovgaard
1847
In this painting Skovgaard wished to depict a typical Danish beech forest. However, it attracted very negative reviews in Flyveposten when exhibited at Charlottenborg in 1847. The anonymous critic counted it among the “mere trifles” at the exhibition, seeing it as “a striking example of how a depraving influence can affect an artist’s work.” The reviewer was hinting at N.L. Høyen’s major influence on Skovgaard, regarding the painting as exemplifying Høyen’s ideas. The true intention behind the review was to criticise the strong national sentiments championed by the art historian. Høyen’s keen involvement in national discussions won him many opponents. Even so, the Royal Collection of Paintings acquired the work that same year.
SMK – National Gallery of Denmark, Copenhagen · Image: SMK – National Gallery of Denmark, Public domain · Text: SMK – National Gallery of Denmark (text: Peter Nørgaard Larsen), CC0