Schweizisk prospekt 1767 - 1824

Frans Xaver Triner made this brown ink drawing of the Schöllenen Gorge on the St. Gotthard Pass. The image presents us with more than just a landscape; it’s a window into the political and cultural landscape of late 18th-century Switzerland. The pass was not just a geographical feature; it was a vital trade route. Its depiction speaks to Switzerland's emerging national identity, one deeply intertwined with its geography and its role in European commerce. Consider the figures crossing the bridge, their presence is a nod to the human effort required to traverse and tame this landscape. To truly understand this artwork, we can look at the history of Swiss transportation, the rise of tourism, and the artistic conventions of landscape depiction. Art, in this sense, is more than just aesthetics; it's a record of human ambition, social change, and the ongoing dialogue between people and the environment.