Moonlight over a rocky coast 

Knud Baade painted "Moonlight over a Rocky Coast" during the 19th century. In its aesthetic, it represents a key shift in how people related to nature. The painting presents a sublime, awe-inspiring landscape, characteristic of the Romantic movement that swept through Europe at the time. The moon, partially obscured by clouds, casts an ethereal glow on the jagged coastline, the tiny figures silhouetted on the rock face, and the small boat gently afloat on the water. The sublime was about the feeling one got in the presence of something overwhelming. As industrialisation changed the landscape, this kind of painting offered an escape, a reminder of nature's enduring power and beauty. This piece, though, also shows us how Norwegian artists contributed to a rising sense of national identity, rooted in the dramatic landscapes of their homeland. Understanding art like this requires looking at the social values of the time, delving into period literature, and exploring the history of the art market to understand the painting’s place in society.