Peter Vilhelm Carl Kyhn: A Danish Landscape Painter
- Born: Copenhagen, Denmark (1819)
- Died: 1903
Early Life and Artistic Training
Peter Vilhelm Carl Kyhn was born in Copenhagen to Carl Gottlieb Kyhn and Sara Marie. His father initially discouraged his artistic aspirations, leading him to first train in a business office. As a compromise, he was allowed to study with copperplate engraver Georg Hoffmann, where he learned techniques useful for later etching work.
In 1836, Kyhn began training at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He progressed through various schools within the academy, including plaster model painting and model painting. His instructors, Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg and J. L. Lund, instilled in him a classical foundation. Niels Lauritz Høyen, another influential teacher and art critic, encouraged the development of a unique Danish artistic identity. N. F. S. Grundtvig’s ideas also inspired Kyhn's turn towards national romanticism.
Development as a Landscape Painter & National Romanticism
Kyhn initially pursued figure drawing but ultimately dedicated himself to landscape painting, which was gaining prominence in Danish art at the time. His first exhibited landscape, "Et bornholmsk strandparti" ("A view of the beach on Bornholm"), purchased by the Danish Royal Painting Collection, demonstrated his emerging talent.
Kyhn’s work became associated with the national romantic movement, which emphasized themes of Danish identity and nature. He received a travel stipend in 1848, though he delayed his travels due to political upheaval. His journeys through the Netherlands, Belgium, Paris, and Italy (1850-1851) influenced his style but did not result in extensive landscape paintings from those regions.
Key Artistic Characteristics & Evolution
- Early Landscapes: Focused on direct studies of nature, showcasing a developing skill.
- Mature Style: Characterized by evocative depictions of Danish landscapes, particularly scenes with late summer evening light. Paintings like "efter solnedgang i udkanten af en landsby" ("after sunset on the outskirts of a village") and "sildig sommeraften ved himmelbjærget" ("late summer evening near himmelbjerget") exemplify this period.
- Plein Air Painting: Kyhn began experimenting with painting outdoors, a relatively new approach at the time, likely during his summers at Himmelbjerget.
- Subject Matter: While known for coastal scenes and forests, he also depicted the flat prairies of Jutland, paving the way for other artists to embrace this quintessential Danish landscape.
Teaching & Legacy
Kyhn played a significant role in art education, teaching at both the School of Drawing and the School of Painting from the 1850s. He became a member of the Royal Danish Academy in 1870.
- Artistic Organizations: He was involved with the establishment of the Danish Etchers Union (Den danske Radeerforening) in 1853 and served on various exhibition committees.
- Influence: Kyhn’s dedication to depicting the Danish landscape, his pioneering use of plein air painting techniques, and his commitment to art education solidified his place as a key figure in Danish art history. He helped bridge the gap between the Danish Golden Age and modern artistic developments.
He is remembered for his contribution to establishing a distinctively Danish style of landscape painting and for fostering a new generation of artists through his teaching.
