Norwegian Landscape

The size of the painting, the scarce selection of colours and the use of cardboard as the base material indicate that this is most probably one of Mägi’s early Norwegian works: after Mägi had settled down in Norway, he began painting on large canvases. The manner of painting also suggests that this is one of his earlier attempts, along the lines of his Copenhagen cycle, which preceded his arrival in Norway. The rendition of the landscape motif is not detailed, but rather attempts to capture a general mood. As far as technique is concerned, Mägi is focused on brushwork: cascades of small brushstrokes make the rhythm of the composition truly varied and introduce numerous colour nuances.

Konrad Mägi arrived in Norway in the summer of 1908. The overall tonality of the work suggests that it was painted in summer, hence it could well be a view captured in July or August. The exact locations where Mägi worked are not, unfortunately, known, but it is likely that worked around Oslo during the first year.  

The painting used to belong to a family who took it with them to Australia when they left Estonia during World War II. It stayed there until the autumn of 2022.