Zicht op de Gorner-gletsjer en de Breithorn 1859

Eugène Cicéri created this view of the Gorner Glacier and the Breithorn using graphite and watercolor. It captures the sublime beauty of the Swiss Alps, a subject that gained popularity with the rise of Romanticism. Made during an era of increasing accessibility to the Alps, this work reflects the 19th-century fascination with nature's grandeur. As travel became more common, so did the desire to capture and share these majestic landscapes, seen in the growth of landscape painting. The delicate rendering of light and shadow, alongside the detailed depiction of the glacial textures, speaks to the aesthetic values of the time, prioritizing emotional response and awe in the face of nature. This artwork encourages us to consider the evolving relationship between humans and the natural world, and how cultural values influence artistic representation. By examining travel logs, guidebooks, and scientific studies of the period, we can further understand the cultural context that shaped this beautiful image.