Ragusa 1887

Carl Moll painted this scene of Ragusa, now Dubrovnik, likely in the early 20th century, using oils to capture its serene beauty. Notice how the verticality of the palm is echoed in the pillars, and in the way these elements frame our vision across the landscape and out to sea. The column is a symbol that goes back to antiquity, appearing across the Mediterranean. It has carried a weighty cultural significance over the ages. Originally, columns supported structures, but they evolved into symbols of strength, stability, and connection to the divine. Think of the pillars in ancient temples, reaching towards the heavens, or the stoa, a place of shelter and commerce. The appearance of the column in this painting evokes a classical past, subtly influencing our perception and emotional response to this scene. As we gaze at this Ragusa coastline, the echoes of history merge with our contemporary experience of beauty, revealing the complex layers of meaning embedded within seemingly simple images.