This late-19th-century German oil painting depicts a dramatic landscape with a waterfall, wood, hikers and hilltop castle ruins. It’s reminiscent of views by the ‘Düsseldorf School’ of artists.

Rushing with eager ferocity, the sound of crashing water is palpable. It’s perilous, captivating, majestic, and sublime. An imperious ruin stands above two figures. It’s skillfully rendered, with the formidable rocks juxtaposed against the airy tranquillity of the sky.

Led by experienced landscape painters, such as Andreas Achenbach (1815-1910), the Düsseldorf School were born from the preceding Romantic period and sought to combine realism with emotion via subdued colours and poignant subjects. Most preferred to paint ‘en plein air’ (outside) and study directly from nature.

Drawn to Düsseldorf for its rich artistic ideals, numerous painters studied there including the Norwegian, Hans Fredrik Gude (1825-1903) and the Swede, Axel Nordgren (1828-1888). The Düsseldorf School, in turn, inspired several other artistic movements including the Hudson River School in the USA.

Signed illegibly in the lower right and held within a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 28½” x 33” / 72cm x 84cm
Year of creation: 1872
Labels & Inscriptions: Inscribed illegibly on the stretcher.
Provenance: Private collection, Germany.
Condition: Cleaned. Areas of fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Frame in excellent condition.
Our reference: BRV1926