Setting Sun 1770 - 1773

Alexander Cozens, born in Russia as the illegitimate son of Peter the Great, created this oil on paper landscape, "Setting Sun," in 18th-century Britain. Cozens lived in a time when the picturesque and the sublime defined artistic taste. Landscape painting was becoming increasingly popular, yet access to art education and recognition remained the preserve of the privileged. Perhaps because of his own personal history, Cozens was known for his innovative teaching methods. He aimed to democratize art creation by inviting his students to explore and express their feelings through landscape art. Look at how Cozens masterfully captures the ephemeral quality of light and atmosphere. The scene evokes a sense of melancholic beauty that transcends social barriers. It invites us to contemplate our own place within the vastness of nature. This sunset is not just a scene, it’s a shared human experience, rendered with a sensitivity that speaks to our common vulnerability.