This beautiful 19th-century landscape painting by French artist Alexandre Auguste Rose depicts a far-reaching view across a picturesque landscape towards distant peaks.

In the foreground, strongly lit, two villagers are heading inland, carrying produce probably gathered from the shore. It’s quite a hike but they appear to be reaching the summit. While towards the middle ground, a partially obscured impressive aqueduct rises above the scenery.

Alexandre Auguste Rose was a classicist at heart. He trained with some of the best and exhibited at the formal Paris Salon alongside other Academic luminaries. One of his tutors, Marc Gabriel Charles Gleyre (1806-1874), is particularly notable as he also trained Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and James Abbott McNeill Whistler. With this in mind, it’s interesting that Rose opted to retain his classical leanings whereas Monet etc moved away from them.

Essentially, the ambition of classically-inspired landscape painting was to elevate the scenery to a state of near-ethereal majesty. Drawing upon all of its abundant splendour - during its finest hour. During the 19th century, artists working in this style would usually sketch from nature before returning to the studio to produce a final work.

We also see the influence of Romanticism.

“The pure, frank sentiments we hold in our hearts are the only truthful sources of art.” Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840).

Signed lower right and held within a 19th-century gilt Rococo revival frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 31½” x 22½” / 80cm x 57cm
Year of creation: 1874
Condition: Artwork presents well. Two patches on reverse. Minor craquelure but the paint is stable. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £7,920