Måneskin i skoven 1889

Viggo Pedersen painted "Måneskin i skoven," or "Moonlight in the Woods," using oil on canvas. Oil paint allows the artist to build up layers of color and texture, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. Here, Pedersen uses loose, expressive brushstrokes to capture the play of light and shadow in the forest. You can see the thickness of the paint in areas, which adds to the overall tactile quality of the work. The canvas itself provides a textured ground for the paint, further enhancing the surface. Pedersen was working at a time when artists were increasingly interested in capturing the fleeting effects of nature, and in the direct experience of painting outdoors, en plein air. This approach reflects a shift away from the traditional academic emphasis on historical or mythological subjects, and towards a more immediate and personal engagement with the world. The emphasis is on the experience of the artist. By focusing on the material qualities of paint and canvas, Pedersen invites us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the natural world.