Havnen ved Nyborg. I forgrunden kutteren "Neptun" 1840

This is "The Harbour at Nyborg with the cutter 'Neptune' in the foreground," painted by Friedrich Theodore Kloss. The canvas is dominated by a serene yet dynamic interplay of light and form, typical of marine paintings. The composition is divided into horizontal bands of sky, city and water that evoke a sense of depth. Kloss’s work here is a study in contrasts, note the tranquil expanse of water against the puff of smoke emanating from the ship. The meticulous rendering of the ships in the foreground, juxtaposed with the more loosely defined cityscape, draws our eye to the activity on the water. The artist uses vertical lines of masts, and the church’s steeple, to break up the composition. Kloss seems to be playing with the classical notion of the picturesque by incorporating elements of maritime activity and landscape. The puffs of smoke adds a touch of realism, and serve as a reminder of the industrial and military forces that shape maritime spaces.