Breithorn Possibly 1858 - 1859

Johannes Tavenraat captured this sketch of the Breithorn, likely en plein air, with graphite on paper. Dominating the composition, the mountain itself—a symbol of the sublime—looms with craggy, formidable presence. Mountains have long served as potent symbols across cultures. In ancient Greece, Mount Olympus was the dwelling place of the gods, while in the East, mountains such as Sumeru are central to cosmological beliefs. The visual language of the mountain often transcends its literal form. Think of the pyramid, a human-made mountain echoing upward towards the heavens, or the ziggurats of Mesopotamia. Consider the emotional pull of the mountain as an archetype: the ascent, the challenge, and the isolation at the summit, which speaks to our collective memory of human striving and spiritual quest. Tavenraat’s sketch connects us to these ancient, primal associations, reminding us that the enduring power of symbols lies in their ability to engage our deepest, often unconscious, feelings and memories. The mountain thus continues its non-linear journey through time.