Christian Zacho (Danish, 1843-1913)
Stream Running Through a Forest Clearing 1879
oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right "Chr. Zacho 1879"
Size in inches: 19 h x 29.5 w (with frame: 29.5 h x 40.25 w x 4 d)
J20405
Christian Zacho is best remembered for his traditional depictions of idyllic scenes of Danish forests. This superb example, dated 1879 and in a wonderful period frame, depicts a lush forest glade with a winding path and bubbling stream illuminated in sunlight. In the foreground the forest floor is covered in small cheerful yellow and white spring flowers.
This scene is most likely set in Dyrehaven, a natural park situated just north of Copenhagen with lush forests, small lakes and wide, open landscapes. Renowned for the over 2,000 free range deer that inhabit the park, it is part of the landscape that was once used for hunting by the Danish King. The park was designed for hunting with hounds, with roads linked by star-shaped trail systems making it easier for hunters to keep track of the dogs. In the center is The Eremitagen, the Royal Hunting Castle, designed by architect Laurids de Thurah in 1736 for King Christian VI. The grounds also are home to the 400 year old Dyrehavsbakken, which is the world’s oldest operating amusement park. The park also encloses Bollemosen, a peaceful high moor surrounded by a birch tree forest, which has a wide variety of rare plants and berries. In 2015 the park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Christian Zacho's mother, Anne Marie Mørch Mønsted, was the sister of Peder Mørch Mønsted, grandfather to the well-known Peder Mørk Mønsted who became one of Denmark’s best regarded landscape artists. It is easy to see how Peder Mønsted was influenced by Zacho.
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