Christian Friedrich Thöming -View of Capri From Salerno Side-19th Century Oil Painting

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Christian Friedrich Thöming -View of Capri from Salerno Side-19th century Oil painting

German /Dutch Realist - Oil painting on board … Read more Christian Friedrich Thöming -View of Capri from Salerno Side-19th century Oil painting

German /Dutch Realist - Oil painting on board - Signed - inscribed ,signed in verso
Artwork Profile: Capri – From the Salerno Side (An Island of Naples)
Artist: Christian Friedrich Thöming (Danish-German, 1802–1873)
Date: Circa 1830s–1840s
Dimensions: board size 9 in. x 14 in. (Cabinet Size) Frame size 15x20 in.
I. Visual Description
This luminous landscape captures the island of Capri from the southeastern approach of the Gulf of Salerno. The composition is a masterclass in atmospheric perspective:
The Landscape: The island’s iconic limestone cliffs are rendered in soft, hazy violets and ochres, suggesting the humid heat of a Mediterranean afternoon. The "Salerno Side" viewpoint provides the specific, jagged silhouette that made the island a landmark for sailors and travelers alike.
Light and Palette: Thöming utilizes a "golden hour" palette. The sky transitions from a pale, shimmering yellow at the horizon to a delicate azure, reflecting a calm, glass-like sea.
Human Element: In the foreground, a solitary figure—likely a local fisherman—is depicted on a rocky outcropping. This "staffage" provides a critical sense of scale, contrasting the smallness of human life against the enduring grandeur of the Roman cliffs.
II. Documentation & Provenance (Verso)
The reverse of the board contains rare primary source documentation that elevates the historical value of the piece:
The Inscription: A detailed handwritten label in 19th-century calligraphy reads: "Capri An Island of Naples in the Mediterranean Sea, famous for being the retreat of the Emperor Tiberius — it is miles 4 ½ in length. Painted by C. Thöming."
Geographical Accuracy: The mention of 4 ½ miles is a remarkably accurate measurement for the island, intended to provide educational value to "Grand Tour" collectors.
Conservation History: A label from Fine Art Conservation Laboratories (FACL, Inc.) with reference 85-182 confirms the painting underwent professional archival treatment around 1985. This ensures the paint layer is stabilized and the original luminous glazes are preserved.
Artist Biography:
Christian Friedrich Thöming (1802–1873)
(also known as Friedrich Ferdinand Christian Thöming) was a preeminent Danish-German master of the "Golden Age" of landscape painting.The "Discovery" of Capri:
Born in Eckernförde and trained at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen, Thöming moved to Italy in the 1820s. He is historically significant as one of the artists credited with the "rediscovery" of the Blue Grotto in 1826. His early paintings of this sea cave transformed Capri from a remote fishing village into a premier destination for European nobility and intellectuals.Artistic Legacy: Thöming was a master of luminous atmospheric effects. He spent decades in Rome and Naples, refining a style that blended topographical detail with a poetic, hazy light. His work was highly sought after by the Danish and German royal families, who valued his ability to capture the specific "azure" of the Mediterranean.
Museum Collections: Today, his major works are preserved in the Thorvaldsens Museum in Copenhagen, the National Gallery of Denmark, and the Bavarian State Painting Collections. He remains one of the most important 19th-century interpreters of the Italian coast. See less