Lot 1722 Dα

Only those intimately familiar with the coastline south of Naples will be able to identify the place captured by Oswald Achenbach in this work. The piece uses a sparse arrangement of motifs, especially in comparison to his other paintings: The open sea on the left, a steep, partly shadowed coast on the right, two figures on the beach, a few boats and fishermen further back. Nevertheless, it remains a thoroughly remarkable work. This charisma does not rely on an impressive motif, but in Achenbach's ability to conjure up an idea of "the South" in the observer, using atmospheric effects, strong modelling and subtle tones to evoke the idea of the light, air and the colours of Italy. It is this quality that distinguishes Oswald Achenbach's landscape painting from that of other German painters of the 19th century and shows his personal impressionist approach.