Hoher Göll vom Watzmann-Hocheck 1919

Edward Theodore Compton painted this vista of Hoher Göll from Watzmann-Hocheck, mountains in the Bavarian Alps, with oil on canvas. The image invites us to consider the Romantic era fascination with nature, where mountains symbolized the sublime—a space evoking awe and terror. Compton, born in England but who spent much of his life in Germany, made a career depicting mountain ranges. His works allowed people who might never ascend these peaks to experience them vicariously. But it is important to remember the romanticizing of landscapes often occurred in tandem with colonial and imperial projects. The focus on seemingly untouched nature can obscure the human histories and power dynamics intertwined with these spaces. "Hoher Göll vom Watzmann-Hocheck" invites reflection on how landscapes carry cultural meanings, shaping both personal and collective identities.