Here, Denis has used a minimal strip of land to emphasize the awe-inspiring height and scope of a cloud formation. While the higher and more distant parts of these clouds are depicted in full sunlight, the interruptions in the clouds are edged with the pink of early evening. To capture these fleeting effects, Denis painted quickly and without making a preliminary drawing. The study was made in or near Rome.
Simon Joseph Alexandre Clément Denis (Antwerp 14 April 1755 - Naples, 1 January 1813) was a Flemish painter. He painted mostly landscapes in a romantic style. He worked most of his career in Italy.
