Felsige Uferlandschaft mit kleinem Dorf im Mondschein 

Franz Kobell made this landscape with pen and brush in gray ink, likely in Germany in the late 18th or early 19th century. The scene depicts figures by a body of water, with dramatic rock formations and a settlement in the distance, all lit by a full moon. Kobell’s detailed rendering suggests an interest in the emerging field of geology. The image of the sublime recalls the writings of Edmund Burke and Immanuel Kant, popular at the time, which emphasized the power of nature to inspire awe and even terror. The presence of the small village and the figures in the boat, however, also suggests a concern with the relationship between humanity and the natural world. The aesthetic experience of this landscape is connected to the growth of institutions such as museums and academies, which helped to shape artistic taste and promote certain styles and subjects. Art historians can research letters, journals, and exhibition records to learn more about the cultural and intellectual context in which it was made and viewed.