Hills behind the Møen Cliff 1847 - 1851

P.C. Skovgaard made this landscape of Møen Cliff using oil paints, a traditional medium offering rich color and smooth textures that simulate the natural world. Look closely, and you can see how the materiality of the paint contributes to the overall effect, with subtle brushstrokes building up the form of the hills and clouds. Skovgaard uses thin layers to create atmospheric depth and to capture the play of light. Consider that oil paint, though now commonplace, was once a carefully manufactured substance, involving the grinding of pigments and mixing with oil. The artist relies upon the labour of others in order to create this picturesque image. Understanding the materials and the making helps us see beyond the surface of the painting, and invites us to think about the social context in which it was produced. Appreciating the craftsmanship involved allows us to move beyond traditional distinctions between art and craft.