Cliff 

Franz Kobell rendered this ink drawing, Cliff, sometime between 1769 and 1822, now held at the Städel Museum. The composition is a compelling study in contrasts: delicate, almost frenetic lines describe the wildness of nature, while the calculated placement of forms creates a serene viewing experience. Consider the artist’s use of line. Short, broken strokes build the textures of the rocks and foliage, suggesting volume and depth through density. This technique echoes contemporary philosophical ideas about the sublime – the awe-inspiring power of nature that transcends human understanding. Kobell doesn't simply depict a landscape; he constructs a visual experience that invites contemplation on the relationship between humans and the natural world. Note how the seemingly chaotic lines resolve into structured forms. Kobell’s Cliff is not merely a representation but an intellectual proposition about how we perceive and categorize the world around us.