Gezicht op Civitella 1830 - 1834

Jacobus van den Berg sketched this view of Civitella, likely en plein air, capturing the stark form of the mountain with simple graphite lines. The mountain, a prominent feature of the landscape, is a recurring motif throughout art history, symbolizing constancy, challenge, and spiritual aspiration. We might recall the jagged peaks in Caspar David Friedrich's landscapes, which evoke the sublime power of nature, or consider the sacred Mount Olympus of Greek mythology, a powerful symbol of divine authority. The mountain is not merely a geological formation; it is a stage upon which human dramas of ambition and reverence play out. Consider how the mountain, in its silent, imposing presence, taps into our collective unconscious, triggering emotions ranging from awe to trepidation. Van den Berg's sketch, though understated, subtly invites us to confront these primal feelings. This is not just a depiction of a place, but a mirror reflecting our own enduring relationship with the formidable world around us.