Artwork
At the Riding School
At the Riding School is an oil painting by Ludvig Karsten. It dates from 1918 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1918, *At the Riding School* is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Ludvig Karsten. The work depicts a white horse positioned on the left side of the canvas, accompanied by three figures in riding attire on the right, one of whom holds a riding crop. Muted blues and greens dominate the surface, while the brushwork remains loose and energetic.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a moment within an equestrian setting, emphasizing the relationship between rider and animal. The figures, dressed in long coats and hats, suggest a formal riding school environment, while the white horse adds a focal point of vitality. The restrained palette and dynamic strokes convey a sense of controlled motion rather than narrative detail.
Technique & Style
Karsten employs a neo‑impressionist approach, using broad, expressive brushstrokes that blur precise outlines. The limited color range of blues and greens creates a cool atmosphere, while the handling of paint imparts a tactile sense of movement. This method reflects the influence of contemporaries such as Matisse and the broader French avant‑garde of the early twentieth century.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on view. Throughout his career, Karsten exhibited frequently in Norway, beginning with the Autumn Exhibition in Kristiania in 1901, and gained recognition for his bohemian lifestyle and expressive visual language.
Context
Karsten’s work emerged during a period of artistic exchange between Scandinavia and France.
Karsten’s work emerged during a period of artistic exchange between Scandinavia and France. Influenced by Edvard Munch’s emotional intensity and the color experiments of French modernists, he integrated these currents into a personal style that combined atmospheric color with vigorous brushwork, situating *At the Riding School* within the broader trajectory of early twentieth‑century European painting.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ludvig Karsten (8 May 1876 – 19 October 1926) was a Norwegian painter. He was a neo-impressionist influenced by Edvard Munch, Henri Matisse and contemporary French painting. He first participated at the Autumn…
