Avalanche in an Alpine Landscape c. 1870

Pierre Puvis de Chavannes created this drawing, Avalanche in an Alpine Landscape, using graphite on paper. The composition divides into distinct zones of depth, from the stark foreground to the distant, faintly rendered mountains. The avalanche itself cascades diagonally, a powerful, textured mass dominating the scene. Look at how the hatching marks create tonal variations that suggest both light and volume. The artist uses short, broken lines for the trees and mountains, and longer, more directional strokes to define the avalanche's movement. This contrast in linework guides our eye through the landscape. In the late 19th century, artists were increasingly interested in depicting natural phenomena with scientific accuracy, while still conveying emotional impact. Chavannes captures this tension by combining precise detail with a sense of overwhelming force, reflecting broader cultural anxieties about nature's power and unpredictability. Notice how the seemingly simple graphite lines construct not just an image, but a complex representation of nature's dynamic and sometimes destructive forces.