Artwork Description

Title: By the Danube
Artist: Jacob Ott
Date: n.d.
Medium: Oil on wood panel
Dimensions: 11.8 x 17.7 in (30 x 45 cm)

Artwork Identification
By the Danube by Jacob Ott captures a tranquil riverside settlement nestled at the foot of densely wooded hills, painted in oil on a wood panel. The scene is rendered with clarity and restraint, suggesting a documentary intent and a deep appreciation for the Central European landscape, most likely inspired by views along the Austrian or southern German Danube.

Artistic Style and Influences
The work reflects the stylistic discipline of 19th-century Central European landscape painting, characterized by crisp outlines, subdued natural color tones, and an almost naïve yet precise attention to architectural and topographical details. The use of oil on panel enhances the luminous finish of the surface, while the composition suggests a balance between Romantic sensibility and topographic observation.

Historical Context
The Danube, as a geographic and cultural artery of Europe, inspired numerous painters throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. This work likely belongs to the tradition of Biedermeier or post-Biedermeier realism, where artists turned their attention to peaceful domestic scenes, regional pride, and the enduring beauty of the natural landscape during a time of relative political stability.

Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The panel and paint surface are both in very good condition. The varnish is even and stable, with no significant craquelure or restoration visible. The frame is well-preserved and complements the crisp tonality of the work.

Artistic Significance
Jacob Ott’s By the Danube contributes to the visual heritage of Europe’s most iconic river, offering a historically resonant and aesthetically balanced depiction of a modest river town. Its harmonious composition and serene atmosphere would appeal to collectors of 19th-century landscape painting, particularly those interested in regional European topography.