An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
The artwork depicts an ancient, crumbling ruin standing solemnly beside a vast, dark expanse of water. The towering ruins, partially covered by climbing ivy, stand as remnants of a bygone era, suggesting a place once filled with life and purpose. The walls, kissed by the soft glow of the sunset breaking through thick clouds, hint at the persistence of hope even in despair.In the background, a flock of dark birds takes flight into the cloud-draped sky, their silhouettes contrasting against the luminous rays piercing through. These birds, breaking the silence of the scene, add an element of movement and mystery to the ruins' quiet desolation.
Tall, dark cypress trees stand next to the ruins, their evergreen foliage a symbol of mourning and eternal life, casting long shadows over the decaying stones and adding to the somber atmosphere. The soft light from the sun and the surrounding shadows create a delicate interplay, evoking a sense of reflection and nostalgia for forgotten histories.
This evocative scene speaks to the enduring passage of time, a moment frozen where nature slowly reclaims the man-made, and memories of the past linger in the air, whispering tales of glory and decline.
Influenced by German Romantic art of the early 1800s, Böcklin was preoccupied with dreamlike images suggestive of death.
Painted in 1881
(Swiss, 1827–1901)
Switzerland
Oil on fabric
Framed: 132.1 x 102.9 x 8.3 cm (52 x 40 1/2 x 3 1/4 in.); Unframed: 111 x 82 cm (43 11/16 x 32 5/16 in.)
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund 1979.57
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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