Lot 169: GEORG HEINRICH BUSSE BENNEMÜHLEN 1810 - 1868 HANOVER

VIEW OF THE ANCIENT ROMAN CITY OF CONSTANTINE IN THE NORTH OF ALGERIA

VIEW OF THE ANCIENT ROMAN CITY OF CONSTANTINE IN THE NORTH OF ALGERIA

measurements note
37 ¼ by 52 3/8 in.; 94.8 by 133 cm.

Signed and indistinctly dated lower centre left: G Busse/ 18...

oil on canvas, unlined

NOTE

Georg Heinrich Busse, born in Hanover, went to study in Dresden under Stölzel and was given a stipend to travel to Rome in 1835 as a part of his studies. It is here that he first started to develop his interest in landscape painting. In 1857, he traveled from Paris to Algeria, Malta and Italy, and during this trip he was introduced to the dramatically positioned city of Constantine, at that time under French rule.

Slightly inland from the picturesque Mediterranean coast lies the city of Constantine, a town with a tumultuous history. It was founded in 203 BC by the Greek king, Micipsa. Distinguished for the splendor of its public buildings, it became an important commercial base for the Greeks, and later Romans who subsequently conquered the city in 107 BC. In 313 AD, the city was renamed for Constantine the Great who rebuilt the city after defeating Emperor Maxentius. It was then conquered by Vandals in 432 and went under Byzantine rule from 534 to 697. The Arabs ruled over the city in the 7υth century, until it was captured by the Ottoman Empire. Much of the Muslim architecture that is still visible today was built during this time. In 1837, the territory was conquered by France and in 1848, it was incorporated into Algeria.

Framed by a deep ravine, the city is provided not only full protection on every side, but is also given a strikingly dramatic appearance. Busse, who traveled to the region while under French rule, emphasizes the grandeur and impressive geography of the ancient city in this refined landscape.