Artwork
A Mountainous Landscape with a Waterfall. Sunrise
A Mountainous Landscape with a Waterfall. Sunrise is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Jens Juel. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. A Mountainous Landscape with a Waterfall.
About this work
Overview
A Mountainous Landscape with a Waterfall. Sunrise is an oil painting created by Danish artist Jens Juel in 1796, deviating from his more common portraiture to explore the landscape genre.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a serene valley at sunrise, juxtaposing the dynamic energy of a waterfall with the tranquility of grazing cows on a hillside, set against a dramatic, partially illuminated sky.
Technique & Style
Juel employed chiaroscuro, applying layers of paint to achieve a glowing effect on the waterfall and the cows, characteristic of the neoclassical movement's emphasis on light and shadow.
History & Provenance
The work is part of the collection at Statens Museum for Kunst, highlighting its recognized value within Danish art heritage.
Context
While Juel is predominantly known for portraits, this piece reflects the broader 18th-century European interest in landscape painting, influenced by neoclassical ideals.
Legacy
As one of Juel's rare landscape works, it provides insight into the artist's versatility and the neoclassical movement's impact on Danish art beyond portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jens Juel (12 May 1745 – 27 December 1802) was a Danish painter, primarily known for his many portraits, of which the largest collection is on display at Frederiksborg Castle.
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