Artwork

Landscape with cows. Småland

Landscape with cows. Småland, by Carl Bøgh, oil, 1864
Landscape with cows. Småland, by Carl Bøgh, oil, 1864

Landscape with cows. Småland is an oil painting by the Realist artist Carl Bøgh. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created in 1864, *Landscape with cows.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1864, *Landscape with cows. Småland* is an oil painting that portrays a tranquil rural scene in Sweden’s Småland region. The composition centers on a group of cows gathered near a gentle stream, set against a softly lit sky and verdant foliage, offering a quiet glimpse of 19th‑century countryside life.

Subject & Meaning

The work focuses on domesticated cattle at rest and in motion, some drinking from the water, others lying or standing. By emphasizing ordinary farm activity, the painting reflects the everyday rhythms of agrarian society, inviting contemplation of the harmonious relationship between livestock and the natural landscape.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the artist employs a palette of muted blues for the sky, vibrant greens for trees, and earthy browns and whites for the animals. Careful modulation of tone creates atmospheric depth, while precise brushwork captures the texture of fur and foliage, aligning the piece with the Realist emphasis on faithful observation.

History & Provenance

The Danish painter Carl Bøgh (1827–1900), known for his animal subjects, produced this work during his mature period. It entered the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings, representing both Bøgh’s oeuvre and the broader 19th‑century Scandinavian realist tradition.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Carl Bøgh

Artist

Carl Bøgh

Carl Henrik Bøgh (3 September 1827, in Copenhagen – 19 October 1893, in Copenhagen) was a Danish painter, best known for his scenes with animals.