Artwork

Rear View of the Convent with Waterfall

Rear View of the Convent with Waterfall, by Ernst Fries, ink, 1829
Rear View of the Convent with Waterfall, by Ernst Fries, ink, 1829

Rear View of the Convent with Waterfall is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Ernst Fries. It dates from 1829 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:lower left in stone: EF; rest by later hands, lower left in graphite: (4); vertical along left edge verso in graphite: Stift Neuburg am Neckar; upper left verso in graphite: 481188816; upper right verso in graphite: 452/6

About this work

Overview

Rear View of the Convent with Waterfall is a lithograph on chine collé created by Ernst Fries in 1829, blending architectural and natural elements in a cityscape.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene hillside convent scene, with a waterfall cascading over rocky cliffs, surrounded by lush vegetation and a winding path, evoking a sense of tranquility.

Technique & Style

Fries employed precise yet soft lines and nuanced shading to convey the dynamism of the waterfall and achieve a dreamy, atmospheric effect, characteristic of his detailed and expressive printmaking style.

History & Provenance

Created in 1829 by Ernst Fries, a Heidelberg Romanticism artist, the work reflects his training under Carl Rottmann and association with Karl Philipp Fohr, showcasing his versatility in printmaking.

Context

This lithograph exemplifies Fries's balance between Romantic attention to atmosphere and emerging Realist tendencies, typical of his contributions to the cityscape genre.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Ernst Fries

Artist

Ernst Fries

Ernst Fries (22 June 1801, Heidelberg – 11 October 1833, Karlsruhe) was a German painter, draftsman, watercolourist, etcher, printmaker, and lithograph.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Rear View of the Convent with Waterfall?

Rear View of the Convent with Waterfall was painted by Ernst Fries in 1829.

Where can I see Rear View of the Convent with Waterfall?

Rear View of the Convent with Waterfall is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Rear View of the Convent with Waterfall?

Rear View of the Convent with Waterfall is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Rear View of the Convent with Waterfall?

Museum-quality prints of Rear View of the Convent with Waterfall are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.