Italian landscape with figures

Oswald Achenbach (1827–1905) was an important German landscape artist of the Düsseldorf school of painting. He specialised in Italian landscape motifs, inspired by numerous journeys to that country. His style combines dramatic light conditions and vivid colours, by means of which he created atmospheric and idealised views of Italy. Measuring 100 cm by 151 cm, the oil painting shows a sun-drenched, slightly hazy landscape. Gentle hills and lush vegetation dominate the scene, which is imbued with a special atmosphere by the warm, reddish-brown light. Small figures – the staffage mentioned in the title – can be seen in the foreground, lending the picture a narrative dimension: travellers, shepherds and women carrying heavy bundles on their heads. The figures blend harmoniously into the landscape, reinforcing the impression of liveliness and movement without distracting from the natural beauty of the surroundings.