Leaping Cataract, Victoria Falls 1974

Patrick Procktor created this etching titled 'Leaping Cataract, Victoria Falls.' The composition is dominated by the dramatic verticality of the falls, flanked by dark, textured cliffs. A delicate rainbow curves across the cascading water, creating a striking contrast with the stark, almost monochromatic landscape. Procktor’s use of etching lends a tactile quality to the scene, where the rough texture of the cliffs sharply contrasts with the smooth, ethereal flow of the water. There is a sense of sublime awe that echoes Romantic landscape painting, yet the work's formal qualities disrupt any straightforward reading. The rainbow, a symbol of hope and promise, appears almost fragile against the monumental power of the falls, highlighting the tension between natural beauty and brute force. This tension invites reflection on how we perceive and categorize nature – is it a source of solace or a reminder of forces beyond our control? The raw, unfinished quality of the etching emphasizes the materiality of the artwork, reminding us that our understanding of the world is always mediated through representation.