Five Travellers in the Moonlight

1828

Carl August Lebschée

Associated Names
Carl August Lebschée

Artist, German, 1800 - 1877

Johannes M. von Hermann

Publisher, German, 1793 - 1855

The image depicts a nocturnal landscape with a group of individuals walking along a winding path. There is a low horizon with a bright, full moon partially obscured by clouds. Moonlight illuminates the scene, creating contrasts and shadows. The brushwork is detailed, capturing the texture of the foliage and clouds. The color palette is monochromatic, using shades of gray. In the distance, the moonlight reflects off the path, framed by trees with branches appearing to bend in the wind.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    plate: 8.6 × 12.6 cm (3 3/8 × 4 15/16 in.)
    sheet: 19.6 × 28.2 cm (7 11/16 × 11 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.636.5

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Holland 1879, no. 36, State only

  • Series Title

    Vier Nachtstücke (Plate 4)

Associated Artworks

See all 5 artworks
This is a drawing of an oval emblem with text and decorative swirls. The centerpiece of the image is an oval shape containing calligraphic text and ornamental designs on either side of the text. The main text reads "Nachtstücke auf Kupfer radirt von C. Lebschée Landschaft-Maler." The lower part of the oval contains the publisher’s details, "Verlag der J. M. Hermann’schen Kunsthandlung in München." The design is symmetrically balanced with flourishing curves that frame the text within the oval.

Title Page to Vier Nachtstücke

Carl August Lebschée, Johannes M. von Hermann

1828

Vier Nachtstücke

Carl August Lebschée, Johannes M. von Hermann

1828

The image shows a seascape with stormy waves crashing against a rocky outcrop. The horizon is high in the scene. The artwork is in black and white with detailed line work, resembling an engraving. The waves and clouds are depicted with swirling patterns, creating a sense of movement. The monochromatic palette enhances the play of light and shadow, giving a powerful presence to the scene.

Surging Waves

Carl August Lebschée, Johannes M. von Hermann

1828

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(C.G. Boerner, New York); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased October 12, 2005; Gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1879

  • Holland, H. Carl August Lebschée: Architektur- und Landschaftsmaler. Munich, 1879. Reprinted in Wend, Johannes. Versteckte Oeuvreverzeichnisse der Druckgrafik. Leipzig, 1981: no. 36, only

Inscriptions

on verso at bottom left, in graphite: N. 3. 3

Wikidata ID

Q77005377

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