Artwork

A coastline. Amalfi, Italy

A coastline. Amalfi, Italy, by Unknown, 1878
A coastline. Amalfi, Italy, by Unknown, 1878

A coastline. Amalfi, Italy is a photography by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created in 1878 by the artist known as 987_person, the work titled *A coastline.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1878 by the artist known as 987_person, the work titled *A coastline. Amalfi, Italy* is a monochrome image preserved in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The picture captures a rugged shoreline on the Amalfi coast, rendered in black and white, and presents a compact architectural element perched on a steep cliff.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a modest white structure clinging to a jagged rock face, its windows gazing out over choppy sea water. Beyond the building, the terrain ascends sharply, dotted with scattered trees and a second dwelling higher up the slope, suggesting a settlement integrated into a dramatic natural landscape.

Technique & Style

The image is executed with loose, sketch‑like strokes that convey immediacy rather than precise detail. This handling of line and tone aligns with the broader tendencies of late‑19th‑century Impressionism, where artists prioritized the fleeting effects of light, atmosphere, and movement over meticulous rendering.

History & Provenance

After its completion in 1878, the work entered the holdings of the Museum of Ethnography, where it remains on display. The museum’s acquisition records indicate that the piece was obtained as part of a broader collection of 19th‑century European visual documents.

Context

Amalfi’s steep cliffs and maritime environment have long attracted artists seeking to depict the interplay of land, sea, and architecture. In the late 1800s, such coastal scenes were popular subjects for artists exploring the transient qualities of light and weather, situating this image within a wider European fascination with picturesque seascapes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known