Kapel van Willem Tell aan het Vierwoudstrekenmeer 1821 - 1847

Lukas Weber created this print of the Chapel of William Tell on Lake Lucerne sometime in the mid-19th century. During Weber's lifetime, Switzerland was in the process of solidifying its national identity, and images of historical sites played a crucial role in this process. This print depicts a serene lakeside scene, but the chapel commemorates a legendary act of rebellion. William Tell, a folk hero, resisted authority and fought for freedom. The chapel, built in the 14th century, became a symbol of Swiss independence and resistance to tyranny. Weber's print captures this site, embedding the narrative of Swiss identity within the landscape itself. What does it mean to enshrine a narrative of national identity in a landscape? What stories are privileged and what stories are excluded? Weber asks us to consider the complex relationship between history, memory, and place, and how these elements shape our understanding of who we are.