An Exceptional New Publication at the Crossroads of Art History, Mountaineering, and the Imagination

An exceptional publication, “Mont Blanc, le regard des peintres” (Mont Blanc, through the eyes of painters) traces, for the first time on such a scale, the history of pictorial representations of the roof of Europe. From the discreet silhouette of Mont Blanc appearing in the background of a painting by Conrad Witz in 1444 to the most daring contemporary creations, more than five centuries of perspectives unfold within these pages.

Bringing together more than 320 artworks from over 60 museums and public institutions, as well as private collections, the book reveals the intimate and fascinating dialogue between artists and the legendary mountain. Many major artists are featured, testifying to the power of inspiration that Mont Blanc has exerted across eras and borders. Their representations belong to different painting movements and are brought together for the first time in a single publication: the Romanticism of Vigée Lebrun, Turner, Corot, Friedrich, Carus and Bierstadt; the Pointillism of Signac; the expressionism of Kokoschka; the symbolism of Hodler; the Nabism of Vallotton; the realism of Loppé, who went so far as to set up his easel at the summit; the impressionism of Sargent; and the scientific studies of Viollet-le-Duc.

This book also invites readers to discover the richness of contemporary creation: unique artistic approaches and varied visual styles offer a fresh perspective on mountains, combining memory, fascination, and modernity.

A reference book at the crossroads of art history, mountaineering and the imagination, offering a comprehensive overview of mountain art, its trends, techniques, and developments.

Available for purchase in the bookshops in Chamonix and on amazon.