Stürmische Mondnacht im Gebirge 

Johann Georg Wagner created "Stürmische Mondnacht im Gebirge", or "Stormy Moonlit Night in the Mountains", with watercolor and gouache. The initial visual experience is dominated by the contrast between the dark, tumultuous sky and the jagged, imposing rock formations. The overall composition uses dramatic contrasts and textures to evoke a sense of sublime awe and latent anxiety. The artist constructs a compelling interplay between light and shadow. The moon, shrouded by turbulent clouds, casts a spectral glow that highlights the rugged texture of the rocks. This use of chiaroscuro emphasizes a sense of depth but also heightens the painting's emotional intensity. The small figures on the shore appear dwarfed by their surroundings, underscoring humanity's tenuous place within the vastness of nature. The formal arrangement suggests not just a landscape but a reflection on the aesthetics of the sublime, where beauty and terror combine. Wagner skillfully uses the medium to create a visual landscape, a contemplation on the power of the natural world.