Artwork
Clearing Up, Coast of Sicily
Clearing Up, Coast of Sicily is an oil painting by Andreas Achenbach. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1847 by German painter Andreas Achenbach, *Clearing Up, Coast of Sicily* is an oil on canvas that captures a tempestuous stretch of shoreline. Executed during Achenbach’s mature period, the work exemplifies his dedication to rendering natural phenomena with atmospheric intensity.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a rugged Sicilian coast where surging waves assault craggy rocks beneath a sky heavy with storm clouds. A break of sunlight pierces the gloom, suggesting a fleeting calm amid the sea’s turmoil and highlighting the Romantic fascination with the sublime power of nature.
Technique & Style
Achenbach employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, juxtaposing deep shadows with bright highlights to model the water and rock surfaces. The brushwork conveys the kinetic energy of the surf, while layered glazes render the luminous sky, creating depth and a palpable sense of movement.
History & Provenance
The painting belongs to the collection of the Walters Art Museum, where it has been displayed as part of the institution’s European 19th‑century holdings. Achenbach, a co‑founder of the Düsseldorf School, was celebrated alongside his brother Oswald—both often referred to as the “Alpha and Omega” of landscape painting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Andreas Achenbach (29 September 1815 – 1 April 1910) was a German landscape and seascape painter in the Romantic style.
