Foss was a master of hilly terrain and he trained under the great P.C. Skovgaard (1817-1875) who is considered one of the finest painters of the Danish Golden Age. Both artists adopted a romantic approach to landscape painting that was driven by their love for Danish rural life. It’s said that Foss was so enamoured with the countryside that he was known to omit buildings if they spoilt his view.

Towards the end of his life, he settled in Virkland and ran a Summer painting school that became a huge success. Students enjoyed the freedom of the natural environment and Foss was undoubtedly an enthusiastic teacher.