Bjergskråning med oliventræer og en villa 1920

Curator: Here we have Peter Hansen's "Bjergskråning med oliventræer og en villa," dating from 1920, a watercolor piece residing here at the SMK. Editor: It feels… wistful. Pale, delicate washes. A summer haze caught on paper. Are we sure this is just watercolour and not some mix of media? Curator: Yes, and that handling of the material, particularly the thin washes, certainly evokes the impressionistic style. It's very much in line with his focus on plein-air painting. It seems so untouched. But let's talk more about that villa - why this view and how does it play into the impressionism you mentioned? Editor: Absolutely. This landscape tradition is evident, yet something's missing. What I mean to say is there is this interest in the land as productive and this house is merely situated and observing. Perhaps the relationship with that building needs a closer consideration, seeing it through its location's conditions. Where does the labor occur here and who is able to view and commodify it this way? Curator: Fascinating points. We see how Hansen employs his knowledge of classical structure, with this strong division between foreground and background. What is compelling for me, that speaks to those questions of the institution of viewing, is that this image doesn't appear to depict "a view." More like "a snapshot" that he may or may not have worked up more fully, as an intimate, social scene or as a major statement about society at large. Editor: It truly makes you think, what elements define Hansen's paintings? It is this careful production from his materials that leads us here. Watercolor offers itself to artists because it is quick and cost effective while holding the ability to layer detail and perspective through each thin layer. Curator: This piece really challenges our ideas of traditional landscape art. This unassuming view, elevated and made extraordinary by Hansen's hand—it's something to behold. Editor: A worthy perspective for a day spent traveling and working and for its future owner who can observe such skill for an agreeable price, which speaks directly to Hansen's social ability to both offer an exquisite piece and continue to create!