Who painted Study of Cliffs at the South Coast of Refsnæs?

Study of Cliffs at the South Coast of Refsnæs was painted by Johan Lundbye in 1847.

Where can I see Study of Cliffs at the South Coast of Refsnæs?

Study of Cliffs at the South Coast of Refsnæs is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Study of Cliffs at the South Coast of Refsnæs?

Study of Cliffs at the South Coast of Refsnæs is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Study of Cliffs at the South Coast of Refsnæs

Johan Lundbye , 1847

Study of Cliffs at the South Coast of Refsnæs is an oil painting by the Realist artist Johan Lundbye. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Johan Lundbye’s 1847 oil painting, *Study of Cliffs at the South Coast of Refsnæs*, portrays a quiet stretch of coastline in Denmark. The composition centers on rugged cliffs rendered in muted greens and browns, a modest scatter of stones, and a tranquil sea that meets a sky washed in soft pink and blue tones. The scene conveys a sense of calm and invites contemplation of the natural landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a specific segment of the Refsnæs shoreline, emphasizing the harmony between land, water, and sky. By focusing on an unpopulated, serene environment, Lundbye highlights the intrinsic beauty of Denmark’s coastal terrain, reflecting a broader 19th‑century interest in national identity expressed through the country’s natural scenery.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting employs a restrained palette and delicate brushwork to model the cliffs and water surface. Subtle gradations of light create a gentle chiaroscuro that defines form without dramatic contrast, aligning the piece with realist tendencies while retaining the lyrical softness characteristic of the era’s national romantic landscape tradition.

History & Provenance

Created in 1847, the canvas entered the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to preserving works that document the nation’s artistic response to its own geography during the mid‑19th century.

Context

Lundbye worked under the influence of art historian Niels Laurits Høyen, who advocated for a distinctly Danish visual language. Alongside contemporaries such as P. C. Skovgaard and Lorenz Frølich, he contributed to a movement that combined realistic observation with a romanticized view of the Danish landscape, particularly the coastal regions of Zealand.