In Search of a Shady Spot

A blue sky, terracotta and rust-coloured roofs, and half-hidden back yards. Even if now we may have similar holiday snaps in our smartphone’s photo gallery, as early as the 19th century this scene inspired German genre painter Friedrich Mosbrugger on his trip through Italy.

Born into a family including painters, sculptors and stucco artists, Mosbrugger became familiar with the art world from early childhood on.

Just as Mosbrugger followed his friend Friedrich Eisenlohr to Italy in 1827, so we follow the artist in this scene into the world he discovered on his journey.

Eisenlohr was actually an architect, and this composition also resonates with his interest in Italy’s buildings and cityscapes – an interest he may well have passed on to his friend Mosbrugger.

Dilapidated walls rise on either side to frame our view into a back yard. The houses are packed together, shoulder to shoulder, without a gap. In the centre, the warm southern light illuminates a small pool and olive trees.

Pergolas with green foliage cast their shadows onto the walls of the houses. On top of a wall, a white marble bust copied from a Greek model gleams in the sun. Set in front of a flowering rose bush, it tells of the remains of antiquity.

If you follow the wall down into the yard in front, you’ll discover a little scene almost hidden in the shadows. In the dark foreground, Mosbrugger has placed a young woman with a child. Evidently, they are trying to escape the daytime heat.

If you look closely, you’ll notice the sketch of a reclining man on the wall between the figures and the steps. The child seems to be pointing to this drawing, so fine it’s hard to see or – with some surprise – you only find it later.

Mosbrugger’s Rear Façades of Italian Buildings does not just exemplify his skilful use of light and shade. It is also an eloquent testament to how he lovingly staged moments in daily life otherwise overlooked. Standing next to Mosbrugger as he took in this scene, we might have heard the sound of freshly washed laundry being shaken out or the gentle snores of those taking a midday nap.