Norwegian Landscape

1820

Trip to Italy at the prince's invitation

Prince Christian Frederik, then in Italy, invites Dahl to join him at the Gulf of Naples; the artist, who was courting Emilie von Bloch at the time, marries her hurriedly and sets off the next day. He spends ten months in Italy (other accounts have the journey lasting until 1823), and it is there, in the strong southern light, that his art truly flowers.

1820

Admitted to the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts

Dahl is accepted into the Dresden academy two years after arriving in the city.

12. Juni 1820

Married: Emilie von Block

1821

Rome: museums, acquaintances and landscapes for sale

In February 1821 Dahl goes to Rome, spending much time in museums, meeting other artists and painting pictures to sell, among them landscapes inspired by the mountains of Norway. He said that only in Rome did he truly come to appreciate Norwegian nature.

1822

Daughter born: Caroline Elisabeth Dahl

1823

A house for two families: Dahl moves in with Friedrich

The two families share a house in Dresden, and Dahl's students — Knud Baade, Peder Balke, Thomas Fearnley — come under the equal influence of both masters, though Dahl's own more spontaneous, painterly manner soon prevails. Clients sometimes commission pictures from both, a tranquil coastal scene by Friedrich to pair with a stormier subject by Dahl.