Mountain Slope Aug 23 1885 (from Sketchbook X) 1895

Here, William Trost Richards captures a mountain slope in a graphite sketch dated August 23, 1885. The mountain motif—a symbol laden with significance across cultures—dominates the composition. Mountains have long been potent symbols, representing challenges, spiritual heights, or places of divine encounter. Think of Mount Olympus, home to the Greek gods, or Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. The mountain here is not just a geological formation, but a repository of cultural memory. Consider how the mountain has appeared in art through time: from the sublime peaks in Romantic painting, evoking awe and the insignificance of man, to the carefully constructed landscapes of Chinese ink wash paintings, representing harmony and cosmic order. The mountain evolves, its symbolism shaped by the cultural currents of the age, becoming a mirror reflecting our ever-changing relationship with the natural world. The upward thrust of the mountain evokes a primal desire for transcendence, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. A powerful symbol that continues to inspire across epochs and cultures.