In Arco Naturale, Capri (1833), Thomas Fearnley captures the impressive rock arch on the island of Capri which dates back to the Paleolithic age. This natural formation is the remains of a collapsed grotto and stands 18 meters high. Made of limestone and shaped over thousands of years by wind and water, the arch has a powerful, ancient presence.
Fearnley includes small figures at the base to show its massive scale, emphasizing how tiny humans appear beside such a grand natural structure.
Depicting nature's wonders like this was a popular theme among Romantic artists, who sought to bring forward the grandeur of the natural world.