Sen eftermiddag ved Rössjön i Skåne 1866

Vilhelm Kyhn painted this view of Rössjön lake in Skåne, Sweden, with oil on canvas. Kyhn was a prominent figure in the Danish Golden Age, a period marked by a surge of national romanticism. This canvas embodies that sentiment. In the 19th century, art institutions across Europe, including the Royal Danish Academy, played a key role in shaping national identity. Landscape painting was particularly important in this project. Here, Kyhn presents an idealized vision of the Swedish countryside, emphasizing its peacefulness and natural beauty. The image subtly promotes a connection to the land and evokes a sense of national pride. To fully understand this artwork, we can examine Kyhn’s other works, along with the writings and publications produced by the Royal Danish Academy. This will give us a richer sense of the painting’s place in its cultural and institutional context.