Frost Scene: The Setting Sun

Georg Emil Libert (1820-1908) was born in Copenhagen. He was in Munich in 1846-47 and travelled in Southern Germany and Austria in 1851, 1857 and 1875. He exhibited in Vienna in 1873.

This painting is a fine example of the Romantic imagery which developed in Northern Europe in the 19th century and favoured mysterious landscape characterised by a high degree of finish as well as clear and cool tonality. It focuses here on the contrast between the frozen scenery and the incandescent setting sun in the horizon. This atmospheric effect sublimated into dramatic scenery is typical of the Romantic movement. Dated 1847, this composition was made shortly after Libert went to Munich where sojourned a group of Romantic painters under the influence of Caspar David Friedrich. This type of compositions was quite popular and attracted the collectors’ interest during the second half of the century.