European School, Rocky Coast with a Hilltop Chapel, 19th century

Romantic coastal views of this kind were painted across Europe in the 19th century, for travellers and for the home market. The artist is not recorded.

Dark cliffs fall to a calm bay, where two small sailing boats lie offshore. High on a ledge stands a chapel with a domed bell-turret. Broken cloud fills a warm, golden sky, and the coast fades into haze.

Oil, unsigned. The surface shows fine craquelure. In a period gilt composition frame with a fluted hollow and leaf-moulded edges. The frame has chips and losses to the gilding.