The artwork titled “Skaters in Fredericksberg Park” is an oil on canvas painting by Paul Gauguin, created in 1884. This piece, set in Amagerbro, Copenhagen, Denmark, represents the Impressionist movement and falls within the cityscape genre. It currently resides in the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The artwork itself depicts a serene outdoor scene within Fredericksberg Park. The canvas is filled with rich earthy hues and vibrant strokes that capture the light and shadow interplay characteristic of the Impressionist style. A central frozen waterway is flanked by bare trees whose branches reach across the top of the composition, creating an intricate network against a subdued sky.
Skaters, rendered with swift, impressionistic brushwork, animate the ice, their forms suggesting movement and the enjoyment of a chilly day outdoors. The composition is balanced with areas of textured ground on either side of the ice, where the brushstrokes become particularly vigorous, suggesting the crunch of leaves and the ruggedness of the terrain. A soft golden light seems to bathe the scene, infusing it with warmth despite the wintry activity, and giving the painting an overall atmosphere of tranquility mixed with joyful energy.