Sun Setting, Denmark

William H. Johnson, Sun Setting, Denmark, ca. 1930, oil on burlap, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.720
William H. Johnson, Sun Setting, Denmark, ca. 1930, oil on burlap, 20 3⁄4 x 25 3⁄8 in. (52.7 x 64.5 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.720

Artwork Details

Title
Sun Setting, Denmark
Artist
Date
ca. 1930
Location
Dimensions
20 3⁄4 x 25 3⁄8 in. (52.7 x 64.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of the Harmon Foundation
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on burlap
Classifications
Subjects
  • Waterscape — boat
  • Waterscape — harbor
  • Occupation — industry — fishing
  • Landscape — time — sunset
  • Landscape — Denmark — Kerteminde
Object Number
1967.59.720
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1967.59.720

Artwork Description

The swirling colors and blocky brushstrokes of Sun Setting recall the work of Vincent van Gogh, one of William H. Johnson’s favorite painters. The sun radiates dashes of color that animate the landscape in every direction. Johnson often viewed the scenes he wanted to paint through a concave “fish lens” that distorted the terrain into unnatural shapes and wobbly horizons (Powell, Homecoming: The Art and Life of William H. Johnson, 1991). He used this optical effect as a starting point, and painted the countryside so that the land expressed the resilience and strength of Denmark’s people.

Works by this artist (1036 items)

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William H. Johnson, Breakdown with Flat Tire, ca. 1940-1941, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.587
Breakdown with Flat Tire
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, Chain Gang, ca. 1939, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.675
Chain Gang
Artist
Dateca. 1939
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, Midnight Sun, Lofoten, 1937, oil on burlap, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.907
Midnight Sun, Lofoten
Artist
Date1937
oil on burlap
On view
William H. Johnson, Lamentation, ca. 1944, oil on fiberboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.981
Lamentation
Artist
Dateca. 1944
oil on fiberboard
On view

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Artist
Date1940
opaque watercolor and brush and ink on paperboard
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John Hultberg, Under Red Glass, 1974, brush and ink and gouache on colored paper mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection, 1980.137.38
Under Red Glass
Artist
Date1974
brush and ink and gouache on colored paper mounted on paperboard
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Get the War Going!, ca. 1942, gouache, pen and ink and pencil mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.142
Get the War Going!
Artist
Dateca. 1942
gouache, pen and ink and pencil mounted on paperboard
Not on view
Marian Cannon, Volunteer Motor Corp, 1935-1942, watercolor, gouache, pen and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1974.28.307
Volunteer Motor Corp
Artist
Date1935-1942
watercolor, gouache, pen and ink on paper
Not on view