Zicht op de Wengernalp 1859

Eugène Cicéri created this artwork, "Zicht op de Wengernalp," which roughly translates to "View of the Wengernalp," using pencil and watercolor. Cicéri invites us to step into the shoes of 19th-century travelers in Switzerland. The Wengernalp, a mountain pasture, is framed by the majestic Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. The detailed rendering of the landscape, combined with the presence of small figures, evokes a sense of awe at the grandeur of nature. Yet, this scene isn't just a depiction of natural beauty. It speaks to the burgeoning tourism industry of the time, the rise of alpinism as a leisure activity, and the romanticization of the Swiss landscape. We might ask ourselves: who were these travelers, and what did this journey mean to them? The very act of representing the Wengernalp contributes to its cultural significance, turning a remote location into a site of encounter. This artwork doesn't just show a landscape; it presents a stage upon which histories, identities, and aspirations converge.