Santorini (Thira) c. 1843

Carl Rottmann crafted this watercolor, Santorini (Thira), sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The composition is structured around a stark contrast between the cool blues of the sea and sky, and the warm terracottas of the volcanic land. This division creates a sense of depth, drawing the eye towards the distant horizon where a plume of smoke rises, a stark vertical against the horizontal expanse. The painting skillfully balances atmospheric perspective with detailed observation. Notice how the artist uses gradations of tone and color to suggest distance and depth. This romantic technique blends empirical observation with an emotional, almost sublime, experience of nature. Rottmann's technique engages with Romanticism's fascination with nature and the sublime. Yet, his controlled application of watercolor, focusing on geometric forms and tonal contrasts, suggests a move towards a more structured, analytical way of seeing, reflecting emerging discourses around geology and natural science. This tension between romantic feeling and rational observation defines the artistic and intellectual landscape of his time, and allows us to keep questioning the artwork's meaning today.