Description

The direct study of reality, an intense but not analytical investigation of the landscape, appears when observing Godfred Christensen’s landscapes. Born and raised in Copenhagen, he was attracted to the landscape genre from his earliest formation and completed his studies like most of his generation by embarking on the Grand Tour. In Paris, he was fascinated by the Barbizon school from which he would later draw much inspiration. This group of artists left behind the Academy and its classical dictates on depicting landscape, focusing on a more spontaneous representation of reality, less constrained by rigid schemes. Christensen then went to Rome, where he exhibited some of his paintings, as well as to Capri and Switzerland. A large part of his career, however, remained linked to his hometown, Copenhagen. Although it is difficult to date these subjects, it can certainly be said that this painting is a good representation of the Danish landscape tradition, the research of the Barbizonniers, and the warm, soft colours of Italian landscapes.

Bibl.: M. Marcussen, Godfred Christensen, in Kunstindeks Danmark & Weilbach Kunstnerleksikon. Retrieved April 1, 2019.