Peder Mørk Mønsted – Summer Landscape with River Floodplain - 1911

 

The œuvre of Peder Mönsted is not easily classified in terms of style, as the influences he absorbs during his many travels throughout Europe and North Africa over the years appear to be quite diverse and are integrated into his own works. Undoubtedly, Mönsted is primarily a master of nearly photorealistic landscape painting, which has established his international reputation as a successful landscape artist. In addition to the large-scale snowscapes (see Lot 668), he also creates numerous summer landscapes, where the reflective water surface consistently stands out as a significant stylistic feature. It is not only the idyllic landscape itself, sometimes enlivened with small figurative elements, that the artist aims to capture. Overhanging tree canopies and branches, the delicate interplay of sunlight filtering through the leaves, and the white fair-weather clouds against the blue summer sky are all meticulously reflected on the tranquil water of a riverbank or a pond. Often, a flat-bottomed boat rests on the shore, serving as a link between the real nature and its mirrored representation. With these deceptively realistic reflections, Mönsted demonstrates his true artistic skill, which continues to leave viewers in awe of the painting to this day.

Source: Keltterer Kunst