View of the White Mountains (1866)

Dated 1866, "View of the White Mountains" is an artwork by William Louis Sonntag. Historical background, 1866: Japanese prints reached Europe in large numbers and influenced many artists, while photography changed what painting needed to do. The later nineteenth century is the era of Impressionism, whose first group exhibition was held in Paris in 1874, followed by Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, and the Arts and Crafts movement. The catalogue places it in Landscape. The format is landscape. Background on Landscape: Landscape became an independent genre in European painting in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, while in East Asia it had long been central to ink painting. The invention of paint in tubes in the 1840s made it easier to work outdoors, and landscape became a main subject of Romanticism, Realism, and Impressionism.

"View of the White Mountains" is shown in the onlly.art catalogue for reference and browsing. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Landscape scenes add depth and a sense of air to the room, helping the space feel more open and working especially well above a sofa, console, or desk. Browsing works by the same artist, or from the same period, is a good way to compare styles before choosing what suits your space.

American, 1822–1900

If you like the visual language of William Louis Sonntag, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.