View of Kullen in Sweden. Smugglers Hiding their Goods among the Rocks. Moonlight 1834

Louis Gurlitt created this moody painting, View of Kullen in Sweden, using oil paints. The visible brushwork and layering of tones, from the deep blacks of the rocks to the shimmering whites of the moonlit waves, give a sense of the artist's hand in the making. Oil paint has a particular capacity for capturing light and atmosphere. Gurlitt uses this to full effect in the scene's depiction of smugglers, whose work depends on the cover of darkness. This kind of smuggling was driven by economic factors: tariffs, taxes, and trade restrictions created an incentive for those willing to skirt the law for profit. The painting isn't just a depiction of a place; it is also a reflection of social and economic forces at play in 19th century Europe. Considering the materials, making, and context helps us to see this painting not just as a pretty picture, but as a window into a complex world of trade, labor, and risk.