01 Classic Works of Art, Marine Paintings - With Footnotes, #85

Oswald Achenbach, (German, 1827-1905)

View of Ischia with the Aragonese castle 

Oil on canvas

64.5 x 89cm (25 3/8 x 35 1/16in).

Private collection

Ischia is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It lies at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the city of Naples. It is the largest of the Phlegrean Islands). It is almost entirely mountainous; the highest peak is Mount Epomeo, at 788 metres (2,585 feet).[2] The island is very densely populated, with 60,000 residents .

Ischia's main industry is centering on thermal spas that cater mostly to European (especially German) and Asian tourists eager to enjoy the fruits of the island's natural volcanic activity, its hot springs, and its volcanic mud. More on Ischia 

Aragonese Castle (Italian: Castello Aragonese) is a medieval castle next to Ischia (one of the Phlegraean Islands), at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples, Italy.[1] The castle stands on a volcanic rocky islet that connects to the larger island of Ischia by a causeway (Ponte Aragonese).

The Aragonese Castle was built by Hiero I of Syracuse in 474 BC. At the same time, two towers were built to control enemy fleets' movements. The rock was then occupied by Parthenopeans (the ancient inhabitants of Naples). In 326 BC the fortress was captured by Romans, and then again by the Parthenopeans. In 1441 Alfonso V of Aragon connected the rock to the island with a stone bridge instead of the prior wood bridge, and fortified the walls in order to defend the inhabitants against the raids of pirates.


Around 1700, about 2000 families lived on the islet, including a Poor Clares convent, an abbey of Basilian monks (of the Greek Orthodox Church), the bishop and the seminar, the prince with a military garrison. There were also thirteen churches. In 1809, the British troops laid siege to the island, under the French command, and shelled to destroy almost completely. In 1912, the Castle was sold to a private owner. Today the castle is the most visited monument of the island. More on The Aragonese Castle

Oswald Achenbach (2 February 1827 – 1 February 1905) was a German painter associated with the Düsseldorf school of painting. Though little known today, during his lifetime he was counted among the most important landscape painters of Europe. Through his teaching activities, he influenced the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. His brother, Andreas Achenbach, who was twelve years older, was also among the most important German landscape painters of the 19th century. More on Oswald Achenbach

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