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Lot Essay
After studying at the Amsterdam academy from 1825 to 1827, Karsen took lessons from his uncle, the townscape painter George Pieter Westenberg (1791-1873), and the moonlight painter Hendrik Gerrit ten Cate (1803- 1856). In 1837 he took a trip up the Rhine filling his sketchbook with sketches of Koblenz, Frankfurt and Heidelberg, the towns which stole his heart and would inspire many following works.
The present lot exemplifies the great originality and unsurpassed mastery of Karsen. This Romantic artist was perhaps best known for his representation of architecture, but undoubtedly his real genius lay in his ability to use light to enhance spaciousness and achieve a fresh originality. As the eye is guided through the spatial order, starting with the figure standing in the foreground and ending at the massive Fortress of Ehrenbreitstein, the spectator is led to the darkness of the Mosel city side bank, the sun filled land and the luminous water. The haziness of the blue sky touching the surrounding countryside stretches to the horizon and treats us to a wonderful panoramic view of Koblenz.
The great detailing of the architectural features, makes it possible to recognize the landmarks that give Koblenz its specific character. The town of Koblenz lies in the valley where the Mosel and the Rhine meet forming a junction called the Deutsches Eck (German Corner). The two towers of the Basilika St. Kastor, the medieval city walls and the Fortress Ehrenbreistein can easily be determined.
The present lot exemplifies the great originality and unsurpassed mastery of Karsen. This Romantic artist was perhaps best known for his representation of architecture, but undoubtedly his real genius lay in his ability to use light to enhance spaciousness and achieve a fresh originality. As the eye is guided through the spatial order, starting with the figure standing in the foreground and ending at the massive Fortress of Ehrenbreitstein, the spectator is led to the darkness of the Mosel city side bank, the sun filled land and the luminous water. The haziness of the blue sky touching the surrounding countryside stretches to the horizon and treats us to a wonderful panoramic view of Koblenz.
The great detailing of the architectural features, makes it possible to recognize the landmarks that give Koblenz its specific character. The town of Koblenz lies in the valley where the Mosel and the Rhine meet forming a junction called the Deutsches Eck (German Corner). The two towers of the Basilika St. Kastor, the medieval city walls and the Fortress Ehrenbreistein can easily be determined.