Artwork Page for Switzerland. Grindelwald, Upper Glacier, Source of the Lutschine

Details / Information for Switzerland. Grindelwald, Upper Glacier, Source of the Lutschine

Switzerland. Grindelwald, Upper Glacier, Source of the Lutschine

1875–77

Adolphe Braun

(French, 1812–1877)
Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
Carbon print, toned, from wet collodion negative
Measurements
Image: 38.7 x 48.3 cm (15 1/4 x 19 in.); Paper: 40 x 50.7 cm (15 3/4 x 19 15/16 in.); Matted: 55.9 x 71.1 cm (22 x 28 in.); Framed: 59.1 x 74.3 cm (23 1/4 x 29 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
The A. W. Ellenberger, Sr., Endowment Fund 1992.237
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Braun's photographs often bore a stylistic resemblance to realist painting in France. Photography was an important factor in the evolution of realism, a style that was then gaining popularity. With its forthright depiction of natural forces, this photograph of a river springing from a glacier clearly recalls landscape paintings by Gustave Courbet (1819–1877). Courbet's numerous river scenes were contemporary with Braun's work and were part of the aesthetic context of the time.
A horizontally oriented carbon print depicts a sepia-toned landscape of a textured glacier nestled between dark, rocky mountains. In the foreground, a shallow stream flows over small stones, emerging from a cavernous ice cave at the glacier's base. Above, the ice is heavily fissured and uneven. Rugged mountain shapes rise sharply on either side, their dark tones contrasting with the glacier's pale, cracked surface under a flat, hazy sky.

Switzerland. Grindelwald, Upper Glacier, Source of the Lutschine

1875–77

Adolphe Braun

(French, 1812–1877)
France, 19th century

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