Study of Evening Sky and Trees 1834 - 1903

Vilhelm Kyhn’s ‘Study of Evening Sky and Trees’ is an exercise in oil paint, likely dating from the mid-19th century. The visible brushwork immediately tells us about Kyhn's process. Notice how the paint is applied in thin layers for the sky, and thicker, more textured strokes for the trees. The monochrome palette emphasizes the materiality of the oil paint itself. It’s a humble, accessible medium, yet capable of great subtlety. Kyhn captures a vast, changing sky and a dense landscape, all with a limited range of tones. The act of painting en plein air, which is painting outdoors, was becoming increasingly popular during this period, influenced by industrialization and the availability of transportable materials. Kyhn's choice to study the evening sky and trees reflects a connection to the natural world but also to the rapidly changing social landscape of his time. This painting reminds us that even the most traditional art forms are deeply embedded in their social and material context. The focus on the physical qualities of paint, and the way Kyhn applied it, is just as important as the subject matter itself.