Surtshellir på Island 1849

print, engraving

natural shape and form

natural formation

snowscape

nieve

print

organic shape

pencil sketch

natural texture

mixed medium

engraving

watercolor

shadow overcast

This black and white etching, *Surtshellir på Island* (1849) by Emanuel Larsen (1823-1859) is a dramatic depiction of the Surtshellir cave in Iceland, known for its vast size and striking landscape. The cave is shown in the distance, illuminated by a bright light, suggesting a magical or otherworldly presence. The composition features a foreground of rough, jagged rocks, emphasizing the ruggedness of the Icelandic terrain. This print, housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, showcases Larsen’s skill in capturing the grandeur of nature through meticulous detail and striking light effects.