Monk Meditating near a Ruin by Moonlight

Frederik Marinus Kruseman (signed by artist), 1862

In the right foreground of this nocturnal scene a monk meditates near an overgrown ruin. This is the abbey in Villers-la-Ville near Brussels, the city where the painter lived for a while. The subject and the frame embellished with sheaves of wheat were inspired by the German Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich’s famous Tetschen Altarpiece depicting a cross atop a mountain.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-5032
  • Dimensionsheight 78 cm x width 64 cm
  • Physical characteristicsoil on canvas

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Monk Meditating near a Ruin by Moonlight

  • Object type

  • Object number

    SK-A-5032

  • Description

    Een begroeide gotische ruine bij maanlicht, links een beekje en landschap met dennenbomen in het verschiet. Vooraan rechts zit een monnik op een steen, hij is in overpeinzing verzonken. Het betreft hier de ruïne van de abdij van Villers-la-Ville bij Brussel.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    signature and date: ‘FM Kruseman 1862’

Creation

  • Creation

    painter: Frederik Marinus Kruseman (signed by artist), Brussels

  • Dating

    1862

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    oil on canvas

  • Dimensions

    height 78 cm x width 64 cm

This work is about

  • Subject

  • Place

Acquisition and rights

Documentation

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