Moonlit View of the River Elbe at Dresden

1826

Not on view

Although justifiably considered the father of Norwegian landscape painting, Dahl spent most of his career in cosmopolitan Dresden. He painted innumerable views of the city, including sketches, like this example, as well as larger, finished paintings. Although it is possible that the artist stood at the bank of the Elbe to paint this sketch on the night of January 6, 1826—the date inscribed at the lower right—it is also possible that he executed it from memory. Dahl's moonlit views would serve as models for Peder Balke's.

Artwork Details

Title: Moonlit View of the River Elbe at Dresden
Artist: Johan Christian Dahl (Norwegian, Bergen 1788–1857 Dresden)
Date: 1826
Medium: Oil on paper, laid down on wood
Dimensions: 7 5/8 × 8 1/4 in. (19.4 × 21 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Thaw Collection, Jointly Owned by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Morgan Library & Museum, Gift of Eugene V. Thaw, 2016
Object Number: 2016.802.9
Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

By Johan Christian Dahl

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Denkmale einer sehr ausgebildeten Holzbaukunst aus den frühesten Jahrhunderten in den innern Landschaften Norwegens

Johan Christian Dahl

1837

The Aller Church in Sønderjyllands Amt (Denmark), seen from the North, Johan Christian Dahl Norwegian, Graphite, brush and brown wash; framing lines in graphite, probably by the artist — The Aller Church in Sønderjyllands Amt (Denmark), seen from the North
Johan Christian Dahl
late 18th–19th century

View of Frederiksborg Castle from the Northeast, Johan Christian Dahl Norwegian, Pen and black ink, brush and gray wash, over a sketch in graphite — View of Frederiksborg Castle from the Northeast
Johan Christian Dahl
1817

Peasant's Hut at the Edge of a Forest, Johan Christian Dahl Norwegian, Etching; second state of two — Peasant's Hut at the Edge of a Forest
Johan Christian Dahl
1828

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