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Mount Maudit, Savoy

Auguste-Rosalie Bisson

1860

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Mount Maudit, Savoy is a 1860 by Auguste-Rosalie Bisson, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Auguste-Rosalie Bisson
When & what style?: 1860 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This painting shows a mountain range with snow-covered peaks and rocky outcroppings. The mountains are rugged and steep, with deep crevices and jagged edges. The sky above is a deep grey, suggesting a stormy weather. The painting's use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and texture, drawing the viewer's eye into the scene. The artist's attention to detail is evident in the intricate rendering of the mountain's contours and the subtle play of light on the snow. If you're interested in learning more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth, you can explore more of Auguste-Rosalie Bisson's work.

The story of this work

Overview

The Bisson brothers’ photograph of Mount Maudit—which translates as “cursed mountain”—makes the 14,649-foot peak seem inaccessible. In fact, it was not summited until 1878. Photographing at high altitudes necessitated climbing while carrying heavy equipment, including large glass plates and a portable darkroom, and required extraordinary technical prowess and speed in working with the chemicals at low temperatures.

Did you know?

Many major peaks in the Alps were first summited in the 1850s and 1860s, which aroused public interest in the mountains and created a demand for images of them.

Read the full account in the museum source.