Who painted Ungern, Zweite Ansicht von Theben?

Ungern, Zweite Ansicht von Theben was painted by Jakob Alt in 1839.

Where can I see Ungern, Zweite Ansicht von Theben?

Ungern, Zweite Ansicht von Theben is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Ungern, Zweite Ansicht von Theben

Ungern, Zweite Ansicht von Theben is a print by Jakob Alt. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1839 by German artist Jakob Alt, this print titled “Ungern, Zweite Ansicht von Theben” is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. It presents a tranquil landscape that combines architectural, natural, and human elements in a balanced composition, inviting the viewer to contemplate a quiet riverside setting.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a rocky hill crowned by a small castle, overlooking a broad river where two modest boats ferry passengers. Along the bank, sparse vegetation and a diminutive graveyard with a few headstones add a sense of everyday life and mortality, while the partly clouded sky reinforces the scene’s calm atmosphere.

Technique & Style

Alt employs clear, uncomplicated lines to delineate forms, using hatching to suggest light and shadow. The restrained tonal range and precise drawing give the print a realistic quality without excessive detail, characteristic of early 19th‑century German landscape engraving.

History & Provenance

The work, dated circa 1839, entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (specific acquisition details are not recorded in the source). Its title, indicating a “second view of Theben,” suggests it was part of a series of images documenting the German locality of Theben, likely intended for a broader audience of travelers or collectors.