Mont St. Gothard c. 19th century

Editor: This is J.M.W. Turner’s "Mont St. Gothard," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a monochrome sketch of a mountain pass. What strikes me most is how the artist uses line to convey such immense scale. How would you interpret Turner's technique here? Curator: Consider how Turner employs hatching and cross-hatching to define form and depth. The density of lines suggests volume and texture, particularly in the rocks. Notice how he uses varied line weights. What effect does that have, do you think? Editor: It creates a sense of atmospheric perspective, like the distant mountains are fading away. It’s incredible how much information he conveys with so few strokes! Curator: Indeed. The composition, viewed through the lens of formalism, reveals Turner’s mastery of spatial organization and his profound understanding of visual language. Editor: I never thought about it that way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Focusing on the technical elements really enhances the appreciation of the piece.