Artwork
Korn og frugter under et æbletræ
Korn og frugter under et æbletræ is an oil painting by the Realist artist William Hammer. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
William Hammer’s 1860 oil painting *Korn og frugter under et æbletræ* presents a realist still‑life arrangement of grain, fruit and vegetables placed beneath a fruit‑laden apple tree. The composition balances a sturdy tree trunk with a spread of branches, while a table covered in baskets holds pears, apples, grapes and a large squash, all set against a leafy outdoor backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The work celebrates agricultural abundance, juxtaposing cultivated produce with the natural setting of the orchard. By gathering grains and a variety of fruit under the shade of the apple tree, Hammer underscores themes of harvest, fertility and the interdependence of cultivated and wild food sources.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a subdued palette and careful modeling of light and shadow, reflecting Hammer’s interest in chiaroscuro. The rendering of textures—from the rough bark of the tree to the glossy skins of the fruit—demonstrates a meticulous realist approach typical of mid‑19th‑century Danish still‑life painting.
History & Provenance
Created by Danish painter William Hammer (1821–1900), the piece reflects his lifelong focus on floral and fruit subjects. It entered the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst, Denmark’s national gallery, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of 19th‑century Danish art.
Context
Hammer worked during a period when Danish art emphasized naturalistic observation and domestic themes. His still‑lifes often drew on the country’s agrarian landscape, aligning with broader European realist trends that favored detailed, everyday subjects over idealized historical narratives.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Hammer (31 July 1821 – 9 May 1889) was a Danish artist who specialized in painting still lifes of flowers and fruits.
