Rocky Hills near Civitella 1869

P.C. Skovgaard made this landscape, Rocky Hills near Civitella, using oil on canvas. The smooth canvas provides a subtle ground for the artist's rendering of the Italian countryside. Skovgaard's technique is rooted in observation. Notice the brushwork: short, controlled strokes that capture the nuances of light and shadow on the rocks and rolling hills. The paint is applied thinly, allowing the texture of the canvas to subtly influence the overall effect. This method speaks to a tradition of plein air painting, where artists work outdoors to capture the immediate experience of a place. Consider how the painting reflects the social context of its time. In the 19th century, landscape painting was not just about representing nature; it was also about celebrating national identity and cultural values. This was a period of increasing travel, with artists like Skovgaard journeying across Europe. The very act of painting these landscapes contributed to a growing sense of cultural exchange and national pride, as well as a market for landscape views.