25 - E. BRETENIÈRES (*1804), Bridge near Wassen on the Gotthard Pass, 1835, Pencil

E. BRETENIÈRES (*1804), Bridge near Wassen on the Gotthard Pass, 1835, Pencil Edmond de Bretenières (1804 Dijon - 1882 ibid.): Bridge in the Reuss Valley near Wassen on the Gotthard Pass, Journey to Switzerland, Sketchbook, 1835, Pencil Technique: Pencil on Paper Inscription: inscribed and dated in pencil lower left Date: 1835 Description: Impressive sketch of the Gotthard Pass below Wassen in the Reuss Valley. From a scrapbook with travel sketches by the artist. "Esquisses faites par le Baron Edmond de Bretenières feudant les voyages en Suisse" (Sketches made by Baron Edmond de Bretenieres during his travels in Switzerland). | Watermark: "D&C BLAUW" The drawing shows a landscape with a bridge in the foreground spanning a valley. On a hill in the background rises a church with a striking tower, surrounded by trees. The composition leads the eye from the rocks in the foreground over the bridge up to the church, which forms the centre of the picture. The lines are fine and rich in detail, especially in the depiction of the vegetation and architecture. The mountains in the background are outlined, giving the scene depth. The lighting conditions are even, without strong contrasts, and emphasise the calm atmosphere of the landscape. Keywords: Switzerland; Architecture; Landscape; Bridge; Church; Hills; Trees; Mountains; Architecture; Valley; Drawing; Lines; Quietness; Nature; Richness of detail; Composition; Vegetation; Background; Foreground; Architectural drawing; Perspective; Landscape drawing; 19th century; Romanticism; Landscape; Switzerland; Size: Paper: 28,8 cm x 44,3 cm (11,3 x 17,4 in) Condition: Good condition. Traces of old mounting and faint undulations in the corners of the sheet on the reverse. Pale discolouration visible in the centre as well as individual small stains. Crease along the upper edge of the sheet probably due to production.