RIEDEL, August

(b. 1799 Bayreuth, d. 1883 Roma)

German painter. Starting 1818 Riedel studied at the Munich Academy with Robert von Langer. In 1823 he undertook his first journey to Italy. Owing to differences with the Director of the Academy, Peter von Cornelius, Riedel went to Dresden where he studied the old masters intensively. In 1832 he relocated permanently to Rome. Riedel, who is also known for his psychologically sensitive portraits, is primarily appreciated for his Italian genre scenes, which, early on, displayed a characteristically heightened and luminous coloration.

Judith

The Judith of this painting is powerful and strong, but even after her murderous deed a touch of gentleness remains in her eyes. In the painting we see the tendency to psychological interpretation that was to become a feature of 19th-century art. The artist seeks to convey the message of the Biblical story in Judith’s facial expression, making this the overall statement.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 17 minutes):

Alessandro Scarlatti: La Giuditta, oratorio, Part I (excerpts)

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View of the Bay of Salerno from Behind

While many of his German contemporaries had by this date turned to contemporary landscape subjects, biblical stories or quasi-historical Teutonic myths, Riedel here maintains the traditions of the classical landscape. Indeed, in following the tradition established by Joseph Anton Koch in his earlier views done in Italy, he is closer to the seventeenth century ideal.

The idealized setting in this painting would appear the area south of Naples, the distant view being the bay of Salerno, looking west from behind the city.

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