42 - E. BRETENIÈRES (*1804), Bridge in the Reuss Valley, Gotthard Pass, 1859, Pencil

E. BRETENIÈRES (*1804), Bridge in the Reuss Valley, Gotthard Pass, 1859, Pencil Edmond de Bretenières (1804 Dijon - 1882 ibid.): Bridge in the Reuss Valley near Amsteg on the Gotthard Pass, Journey to Switzerland, Sketchbook, 1859, Pencil Technique: Pencil on Paper, mounted on Paper Date: 1859 Description: 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). The drawing shows a rural landscape with a central stone arch viaduct majestically spanning the valley. A few simple buildings can be recognised in the foreground, presumably rural houses or barns. The composition is framed by rolling hills and dense vegetation that rise into the distance to form high mountains. The lines are sketchy and light, lending the depiction a certain lightness and transparency. The lighting conditions suggest a clear, sunny day, although the shadows cast on the paper are only hinted at. The scene appears idyllic and tranquil, with no visible human figures or activity, allowing undisturbed nature to take centre stage. Keywords: Landscape; Viaduct; Bridge; Mountains; Valley; Houses; Nature; Drawing; Sketch; Rural; Architecture; Arches; Vegetation; Hills; Quiet; Idyll; Perspective; Line; Shadow; Light; 19th century; Romanticism; Landscape; Switzerland; Size: Paper: 30,8 cm x 23,8 cm (12,1 x 9,4 in) Condition: Good condition. Sheet corners clearly wavy due to mounting on the reverse. Vertical trace of liquid in the centre. Partly slightly browned along the sheet edges.