A late 19th-century landscape painting by Ludwig Gustav Voltz (1825-1911) depicting a solitary figure standing atop a mountain in the Alps. We particularly love the contrast between the rugged scenery in the foreground and the stillness of the figure.

Voltz generally painted forests and pastoral landscapes so this is quite an unusual example of his work. Perhaps it’s a commentary on the vast overwhelming power of nature and man’s insignificance within it. Or alternatively, it could simply be one of his favourite spots to admire the outstanding view.

It reminds us a little of Caspar David Friedrich’s ‘Wanderer Above The Sea Of Fog’, which depicts a man standing on a rocky precipice as he looks out over a mountainous landscape. Friedrich completed this work in 1818 and Voltz would’ve been well aware of it.

The painting is monogrammed in the lower left and housed within an ornate gilt frame with pierced corners and centres.

Medium: Oil on paper laid on board
Overall size: 22” x 19” / 56cm x 48cm
Year of creation: c. 1890
Provenance: Germany
Condition: Overall very presentable. Frame with some light age-related wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £9,408 achieved for a landscape at auction in 2010.