Artwork

Landscape by Sunset

Landscape by Sunset, by Unknown, unspecified, 1550
Landscape by Sunset, by Unknown, unspecified, 1550

Landscape by Sunset is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created around the middle of the sixteenth century, this work by the artist identified as 35442_person depicts a tranquil woodland at twilight. The composition is held in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography and presents a serene evening scene framed by a fading sky.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre stands a solitary, robust tree whose branches spread outward, anchoring the landscape. A narrow path winds past the trunk, along which a small group on horseback travels, while nearby a flock of sheep grazes beside a gentle stream, suggesting a peaceful rural routine at day’s end.

Technique & Style

The painter employs broad, fluid brushwork to convey the interplay of light and shadow, creating a soft, atmospheric effect. Contrasting dark silhouettes against lighter tones generate a sense of depth reminiscent of chiaroscuro, a method that emphasizes volumetric form through stark tonal differences.

History & Provenance

The piece dates to circa 1550 and has been part of the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings for an unspecified period. Its attribution to 35442_person remains based on stylistic analysis rather than signed documentation, reflecting common challenges in tracing early modern works.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known