Quantity selected exceeds current stock
This charming painting by Eiler Sørensen created around 1930 captures a quiet moment in the Danish countryside with gentle warmth and simplicity. The scene features a young boy leaning against a tree heavy with clusters of red cherries, his gaze focused intently on the contents of a woven basket in his hands. Dressed in traditional rural clothing - including a cap and wooden clogs - he appears absorbed in his task, lending a sense of narrative intimacy to the scene.
The background opens to a sunlit, expansive landscape of rolling fields, scattered trees, and distant farmhouses, rendered in soft, earthy tones and luminous greens. The sky is a calm pale blue, streaked with delicate clouds that stretch horizontally across the canvas, enhancing the peaceful, horizontal rhythm of the composition.
Sørensen’s brushwork is delicate and precise, yet retains a painterly softness that emphasizes atmosphere over detail. His use of light is subtle and naturalistic, giving the painting a serene and almost nostalgic feel. The presence of the cherry tree in the foreground, with its vivid red cherries, introduces a striking contrast of color that draws the eye and adds a seasonal touch.
This work exemplifies Sørensen’s focus on rural life, human presence within nature, and the poetic stillness of everyday moments. It speaks to a broader Danish tradition of lyrical realism and reflects his quiet sensitivity to the rhythms of country life.
Unframed oil on canvas in very good condition, with slight yellowish varnish in the sky area.
Eiler Sørensen was a Danish painter born on 9 September, 1869, known for his serene landscapes and masterful use of light and color. A product of Denmark’s rich artistic heritage, Sørensen developed his style during a period of national romanticism and increasing interest in naturalistic and plein air painting.
Though not as widely known internationally as some of his contemporaries, Sørensen was part of a generation influenced by the Skagen Painters and the broader Nordic movement that emphasized harmony between nature and the human spirit. His works often depicted the quiet beauty of rural Denmark - windswept fields, low coastlines, forest edges, and modest village life - with an understated lyricism.
Trained in the classical tradition, Sørensen’s brushwork evolved to embrace a more fluid, impressionistic touch, particularly in his later years. His palette remained rooted in the natural tones of the Danish countryside: muted greens, soft blues, and warm earthy hues. He was praised by local critics for his atmospheric compositions and ability to capture the changing light of the seasons.
Living a relatively private life, Sørensen exhibited occasionally in regional art salons and maintained a loyal circle of collectors in Denmark. He continued to paint well into his later years, passing away on 14 May, 1953 at the age of 84. While he never sought the limelight, his paintings remain valued today for their quiet depth and the timeless quality of their natural settings.
Artist: Eiler Sørensen (1869-1953).
Signed in the lower right corner.
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Condition: Very good condition.
Dimensions: 41 x 55 cm. / 16 1/4 x 21 1/2 in.
Frame: Unframed.
Origin: Denmark.
