Art of Advent Day 23

By Virginia Carlier

Albert Gos, *The Matterhorn Looking from Riffelsee*, Oil on canvas, 58x70cm.
Image courtesy of John Mitchell Fine Paintings.

If one were to be asked to draw the silhouette of a mountain, the first image in mind would likely be the Matterhorn in all its cinematic grandeur. The image of this summit has proven to be the epitome of mountain landscapes, for both young and old, encountered throughout my travels in Switzerland and abroad. Since being first catalogued in mid-19th Century Alpine tourist guides (mostly British), the Matterhorn’s iconic and perilous peak has been the subject of countless photographs, films, sculptures, and paintings. However, it is fair to say that some may only recognise this symbolic mountain as the emblem and shape of the deliciously well-known Swiss chocolate, Toblerone!

An attachment to Swiss mountains’ quiet but powerful transcendence runs deep, not only in my family’s history, but also arguably in every Swiss person’s identity. Awe and admiration for these majestic Alpine giants may be distinctly felt through the oil paintings of Geneva-born painter and musician, Albert Gos (1852-1942), known to many as the “Matterhorn artist”. In his lifetime and beyond, Gos’ poignant depictions of the Alps, in all their treacherous beauty, have become a metaphor for Swiss culture. This artist’s passion for nature prominently shines through his delicate yet bold representations of Swiss landscapes, exhibited in many renowned museums such as London’s Royal Academy, New York’s Brooklyn Museum and Paris’ Musée de Luxembourg.

Albert Gos, *Le Cervin*, Oil on canvas, 91x74cm. Emile Gos, *Albert Gos in his atelier in Clarens, near Martigny*, photograph.
Images courtesy of Famille Gos.

Personally, Albert Gos’ iterations of the famed mountain have been particularly significant due to their annual appearances throughout my young life. Many of Zermatt’s mountain huts, restaurants, and chalets feature Gos’ paintings on their walls as a symbol of endearment for the surrounding mountains. As a child I would admire these paintings year after year, each time with more appreciation and understanding, as they in turn witnessed me growing into a young adult. The artistic power of these paintings lies not only in their emotional representation of the Alps, but also in their cultural continuity over time. The Matterhorn’s unwavering strength and perseverance deeply inspires me by providing a touchstone for Switzerland’s legacy and by serving as a symbol of resilience that resonates far beyond its borders.