Tempest over the Lake of Thun
1774-77
Caspar Wolf captures the raw, untamed power of the Swiss Alps in this dramatic scene from the late 1770s. The sky is a chaotic mix of dark storm clouds and breaking light, looming over the choppy waters of Lake Thun and the crumbling ruins of a castle. In the foreground, a lone figure crouches on the rocky shore, dwarfed by the massive waves, perfectly illustrating the 'Sublime'—that mix of awe and terror nature inspires. Wolf was originally commissioned to create simple topographical views, but he turned them into moody masterpieces that helped kickstart the Romantic obsession with wild nature.
Views: 2