Siciliansk landskab med udsigt fra Bagarra til Palermo og Monte Pelegrino 1880s

Adolph Kittendorff created this landscape of Sicily, capturing a view from Bagarra towards Palermo and Monte Pelegrino. The image echoes the classical motif of the “locus amoenus” or idyllic place, with its harmonious nature, gentle light, and promise of peace. This motif, deeply rooted in antiquity, speaks to a yearning for a return to simpler, more natural ways of life. Note how the rider appears as a wanderer in a pastoral scene. Consider the presence of the horse and rider, a recurring symbol throughout art history. Often seen in triumphal processions or heroic returns, here, the rider seems to be embarking on a peaceful journey. We see echoes of the heroic equestrian figure but transformed into a humble traveler. The longing for Arcadia has appeared and reappeared in art and literature. It is a timeless expression of the human desire to escape the complexities of existence and reconnect with a primal, harmonious past. This landscape invites us to contemplate our place within nature's grand tapestry.