503 - J. OBERLAENDER (19th) after BEMEL (19th), A view of a burning village, around 1840, Etching

J. OBERLAENDER (19th) after BEMEL (19th), A view of a burning village, around 1840, Etching J. Oberlaender (19th century) after P. Bemel (19th century): View of a burning village in the Roman states, c. 1840, Etching Technique: Hand colored Etching on Paper Stamp: Collector's stamp, Lugt no.: 4795. Kasimir Hagen. Inscription: At the lower part signed in the printing plate: "Peint par P. Bemel | Gravé par I. Oberlaender". Verso inscribed in the printing plate: "Vue dun Vilage en feu dans les etats Romain". Verso further inscription: "Publich by Zanna & Comp.". Date: c. 1840 Description: The sheet shows a view of a burning village at night. The warm light of the fire and the cool light of the moon lend the depiction an atmospheric expression. On the lake in front of the village, three rowers marvel at the spectacle from a boat. Two passers-by can also be recognised on the shore in the left foreground. However, none of the eyewitnesses appear to be making restless gestures. On the contrary, the static poses of the figures correspond with the strongly horizontal and vertical forms. Even the fire appears as a vertical, almost symmetrical form that radiates little dynamism due to the absence of diagonals. The warm colours of yellow and red make the fire appear less threatening; smoke cannot be seen in the darkness of the night. The inferno is reflected in the lake. It appears to be the setting evening sun. Keywords: Fire, sun, night, moon, fire, village, landscape, nature, rowing boat, rower, boat, 19th century, Romanticism, Landscape, Italy, Size: Paper: 19,0 cm x 25,5 cm (7,5 x 10 in), Depiction: 17,0 cm x 23,5 cm (6,7 x 9,3 in) Condition: Rather good condition. The sheet is dust-stained and finger-stained, with tears in the margin. There are remnants of an adhesive joint on the reverse. The margins and corners are slightly bumped. The sheet shows diagonal creases in the left margin. There is a small, dot-like loss to the right of the fire, which has been concealed in dark colour.