Gebirgslandschaft mit antiker Ruine 

Franz Kobell made this landscape drawing with ink and brush, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The muted grey tones bring a softness to the rugged scene, depicting a mountain landscape with ancient ruins, and a figure making their way along a path. The artist's hand is evident in every stroke. Notice how he builds up the forms of trees and rocks with layers of delicate hatching. The ink bleeds slightly into the paper, creating subtle variations in tone and texture. The artist shows the relationship between humans and nature. The solitary figure with their donkey emphasizes the vastness of the landscape and their labor-intensive way of life. The romantic ruins remind us of the passage of time and the transience of human endeavor. The landscape is not just a backdrop but an active participant in the human drama. Kobell's drawing reminds us that art is not just about the image, but about the materials, the process, and the human labor that goes into its creation.