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 (17 items)

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Lawrence Kupferman, Resurrection, 1939, engraving and linoleum cut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from D.C. Public Library, 1967.72.142
Resurrection
Artist
Date1939
engraving and linoleum cut
Not on view
Lawrence Kupferman, Gothic Cottage, ca. 1936, drypoint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from D.C. Public Library, 1967.72.146
Gothic Cottage
Artist
Dateca. 1936
drypoint
Not on view
Image Not Available
Back Bay Street
Artist
Daten.d.
drypoint
Not on view
Lawrence Kupferman, Portrait of a Girl, ca. 1936, drypoint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from D.C. Public Library, 1967.72.141
Portrait of a Girl
Artist
Dateca. 1936
drypoint
Not on view

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Study for Morning Room Murals, U. S. Court of Appeals,…
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Oqwa Pi, Dancer, ca. 1925-1930, watercolor, ink, and pencil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Corbin-Henderson Collection, Gift of Alice H. Rossin, 1979.144.73
Dancer
Artist
Dateca. 1925-1930
watercolor, ink, and pencil on paperboard
Not on view
Terry Schoonhoven, Study for Morning Room Murals, U. S. Court of Appeals, Pasadena, California, 1984, watercolor, pen and ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1987.13.2
Study for Morning Room Murals, U. S. Court of Appeals,…
Artist
Date1984
watercolor, pen and ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view
Pamela Colman Smith, Overture. "Egmont" Beethoven, 1907, watercolor, brush and ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1984.24
Overture. ​“Egmont” Beethoven
Artist
Date1907
watercolor, brush and ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view