View of the plain of Rieti with Monte Terminilo, 1847

Lunde belongs to the first generation of the Danish golden age painters. Pupil of Eckersberg, he painted portraits and above all numerous landscapes in his country. He travelled through Italy from 1842 to 1847. Many paintings by Lunde are kept in Danish museums.

Our painting represents a view of the plain of Rieti, in Latium, a site where numerous artists came to find their inspiration, seduced by the beautiful landscapes. Probably painted on the spot, it reflects the sensitivity of the artist and his interest in continuously changing lights.

The present painting is characteristic of Lunde’s art and of plein air landscape Danish painters. His talent is obvious in the the richness in the handling of oil paint, the perspective and the refined and subtle use of colour.