Larvik by Moonlight

The Norwegian port city of Larvik, which is relatively unknown in the rest of the world, placed Johan Christian Dahl an immortal monument. The 1839 oil painting "Larvik in the Moonlight" combines many motifs that were typical of Dahl, who became famous as the first great Norwegian landscape painter. Thus, much of the area is occupied by the night sky over which gray clouds drift. Dahl dedicated a number of studies and sketches to these cloud formations, which are stacked on top of one another, which are driven apart or pushed together again. In this work too, the clouds seem alive, as if carried by the wind. One would like to be able to watch as they hover over the perfect full moon and withdraw it from the eyes again and again. For although the moonlight illuminates large parts of the picture for a representation at night quite strong, the eponymous celestial body remains veiled in front of the eye of the beholder. Nevertheless, he dominates the painting and inevitably attracts all attention. The light of the moon is reflected in the calm waters of the Skagerak, which only beats gentle waves. This reflection of moonlight over water surfaces Dahl devotes himself to other works, so he made, for example, a painting of the Elbe in his adopted home of Dresden, also in the moonlight. Even with a superficially comparative view of both works it is noticeable that the scenery in "Larvik im Mondlicht" is much brighter. It can be assumed that this is due to the geographical location of the city. Dahl probably caught the dim light in the time around the polar day, during which it comes in the vicinity of the Arctic Circle for very short, bright nights. This period in early summer is also indicated by the green, freshly leafy plants. Since this phenomenon occurs only in a few regions of the earth, it provides unusual and rare effects in the painting, which in places almost give the impression of daylight.

Larvik itself has only a few buildings near the harbor, a church and a few warehouses. At the dock, a single large sailing ship is moored, others are anchored a few meters from land. The sails are overtaken and there is no one on deck, which gives the impression of peace and quiet. The busy harbor during the day is quiet, only at the bottom of the picture just a small boat on the shore, which is received by two men who may fish. Although everything described here first attracts the attention of the beholder, it is reflected in the background of the painting. The foreground is the upper edge of an embankment that drops down to the water. Heavy logs are stacked, some neat, some across, and next to them a couple lets the evening fade away. Their eyes wander over the water to the ships, which they observe in a relaxed attitude without special concern. Rather, they seem to enjoy the atmosphere from their elevated vantage point, the man stands with his leg propped up, the woman has even settled on the hillside. As is customary for the painter, both are only shown from behind and look at the scene designed by Dahl together with the viewer. With its largely dark, muted colors that create a thoughtful and almost mystical mood, "Larvik in the Moonlight" is one of the typical representatives of the Romantic era. The whole picture looks very realistic and by no means like a still life, on the contrary, the gentle movement of wind and waves is almost tangible. While he looks over the shoulders of the two people in the foreground, the viewer enters the scene.