Artwork
A Gondola
A Gondola is an oil painting by the Realist artist Julius Exner. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1859 by Danish painter Julius Exner, A Gondola presents a quiet river scene rendered in oil. The composition centers on a small boat, its oars and occupants highlighted against a softly lit water surface, conveying a moment of stillness within an urban environment.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays a man in a blue shirt and white trousers steering a gondola while a woman in a brown dress and white shawl watches the water. Their relaxed posture and the calm surroundings suggest a leisurely pause, reflecting everyday leisure activities typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century city life.
Technique & Style
Exner employs a realistic approach, using a muted palette of blues, greens, and creamy whites to model light and shadow on the water. The subtle gradations echo chiaroscuro principles, giving depth to the reflections and emphasizing the tranquil atmosphere without dramatic contrast.
History & Provenance
Born in Copenhagen in 1825, Exner worked during Denmark’s National Romantic era, focusing on genre scenes that appealed to contemporary tastes. A Gondola entered the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of 19th‑century Danish art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Johan Julius Exner, (30 November 1825 – 15 November 1910), Danish genre painter, was born in Copenhagen to Johann Gottlieb Exner, a Czech musician from Bohemia, who came to Denmark during the Napoleonic period, and his wife Karen…
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