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Landscape

Franz Kobell

1780

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Landscape

Dominant colour

Landscape is a 1780 by Franz Kobell, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Franz Kobell
When & what style?: 1780 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see rolling hills, jagged rocks, and a few tiny people walking a dirt path under a cloudy sky. Kobell loved Italy’s wild landscapes. He drew this scene with quick, light lines—almost like a sketch you’d do in a notebook. The people look small on purpose, making the land feel huge. If you like this, check out other works tagged *germany, 18th* in the app.

The story of this work

Overview

Franz Kobell was one of the most prolific draftsman working in Germany in the late 18th and early 19th century. His interest in the Italianate landscape intensified following visits to Rome in 1779 and 1784. This drawing may have been executed in Italy, but it is impossible to be certain. His drawings often depict sweeping vistas with rocky outcroppings, such as in this sheet. The overwhelming vista contrasts with the tiny classical figures, emphasizing man's insignificance in nature.

Read the full account in the museum source.