Pair of Impressionist paintings, Oil on canvas 1830, Romantic seascape

A pair of paintings particularly representative of Northern Romanticism. These two works from the 1820s/30s revive the golden age of Dutch seascapes while adding a dramatic atmosphere. The first painting depicts a controlled nature with a calm sea and the work of fishermen - this is the concept of the "picturesque", while the second painting shows a wild nature - this is the Romantic concept of the "sublime". This thematic contrast between the two works was highly sought after in bourgeois collections of the 19th century. 1- This first work, with a low horizon line, describes a lively scene anchored in the reality of the North Sea coasts. The sandy beach is the stage for meticulous and realistic human activity. In the foreground, a couple of fishermen walk along the water's edge, a sailor in a blue jacket and red cap carries an oar, while a seated woman sorts fish next to wicker baskets near stone blocks and marine debris. An imposing traditional Dutch fishing vessel with a heavy hull and flat bottom suited for portless beaches is stranded on the sand at low tide. 2- The presence of a mill improbably perched on a high rocky cliff facing a turbulent sea suggests the nature of an imaginary landscape known as "capriccio". In the lower part, on a stretch of brown sand, there are three figures. Frame dimensions: 60 cm X 41 cm. Artwork dimensions: 46 cm X 37 cm. The rocky island of HELIGOLAND, located off the coast of Germany, was often frequented by artists from Northern Europe and featured steep red cliffs amidst a turbulent sea. Since 26 June 2009, certain sites of the Wadden Sea in GERMANY, the NETHERLANDS, and DENMARK have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The WADDEN Sea has been recognised as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO since 1990.