Zicht op Unterseen en de Jungfrau 1859

This is Eugène Cicéri's rendering of Unterseen and the Jungfrau, of which the date is unknown, but held at the Rijksmuseum. This landscape print offers a window onto 19th-century Switzerland, a time when the nation was solidifying its identity and attracting tourists with its picturesque scenery. Note the figures in the foreground, small and seemingly at leisure, set against the grandeur of the mountains. The print invites viewers to imagine themselves in this idyllic setting. The rise of tourism in Switzerland was closely linked to developments in transportation, such as new rail lines, and fueled by a growing interest in nature and adventure among the European middle class. Images like these played a crucial role in shaping perceptions of Switzerland as a haven of natural beauty, contributing to its economic development. By studying travel guides, hotel brochures, and other printed materials from this era, we can gain deeper insights into the cultural and economic forces that shaped the production and reception of landscape art.