Heidelberg Castle was a subject depicted and celebrated by countless Romantic artists and writers. Located in an idyllic landscape, the mighty ruins stood for a legendary past. George Augustus Wallis, a Scottish painter who had lived in many parts of Europe, created a composition that reflects the ideal landscapes of the late 18th century.
The dreamlike ruins appear in a bright haze in the background. A rainbow – the Christian symbol of peace – arches over them in a dramatically painted sky.