Landskab i uroligt vejr 1849

This is Vilhelm Kyhn’s “Landskab i uroligt vejr” or “Landscape in Disturbed Weather”, an etching on paper held at the Statens Museum for Kunst. Kyhn masterfully uses the etching technique to create a dynamic composition. The turbulent sky, rendered with dense, swirling lines, dominates the scene, evoking a sense of unease. This contrasts with the lower portion, where the landscape is defined by sparse lines suggesting open fields, punctuated by a few solitary trees. The artist uses contrasting marks to create a scene that feels as though it could be viewed from far away. This contrast creates a tension between the stable earth and the volatile sky, reflecting the Romantic era’s interest in the power of nature. Kyhn's emphasis on capturing fleeting atmospheric effects and the raw energy of the landscape aligns with broader artistic concerns of the time. The composition invites us to contemplate the sublime, where beauty and terror intertwine. Here, the structural elements, such as the dramatic play of light and shadow, work together to destabilize conventional notions of landscape as merely picturesque.