An Autumn Landscape by the Rhine 1760 - 1802

Jens Juel painted this oil on canvas entitled ‘An Autumn Landscape by the Rhine’ at an unknown date. The painting reflects the period’s growing interest in landscape and nature, a movement that moved artistic concern away from representing historical or mythological scenes. The composition, with its contrasting light and shadow, romanticizes the Rhine River Valley as a place of serene beauty. Consider the cultural and institutional context in which Juel was working. In the late 18th century, landscape painting was gaining recognition as a legitimate genre in art academies across Europe. Artists like Juel contributed to shaping a sense of national identity through depictions of idealized landscapes. To understand the painting better, we can consult historical travelogues, geographical surveys, and studies of the art market to reconstruct Juel’s world. This will give us a deeper understanding of the social and institutional factors that shaped his artistic choices.