Gezicht op een lawine bij de gletscher van Breithorn

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

Balthasar Anton Dunker's *Gezicht op een law bij de gletscher Breithorn* ( of an Avalanche at theithorn Glacier), an from 1776, the raw power of nature in the Swiss Alps. 240 × 343 mm, this print depicts a dramatic avalanche cascading near the imposing Breithorn peak, a motif that thrilled 18th-century viewers amid the Romantic fascination with the sublime. Dunker, a German artist renowned for his precise topographic landscapes, skillfully rendered the chaotic tumble of ice and rock against jagged peaks, evoking both awe and peril. As an etching, the work showcases Dunker's mastery of intaglio printing, where acid etches intricate lines into a metal plate for rich, detailed impressions. This technique allowed affordable dissemination of alpine scenes, popular during the Grand Tour era when European elites ventured into the mountains for inspiration. The collector's mark (Lugt 2228) hints at its prized status among connoisseurs, likely from a distinguished 18th- or 19th-century collection. This piece reflects the Enlightenment's shift toward celebrating untamed wilderness, bridging scientific observation with artistic drama. For visitors, it's a window into how avalanches—once feared harbingers—became symbols of nature's grandeur in art.

About the Artist

Balthasar Anton Dunker · 1746–1807

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