Who painted The Jungfrau, Switzerland?

The Jungfrau, Switzerland was painted by Alexandre Calame in 1853.

Where can I see The Jungfrau, Switzerland?

The Jungfrau, Switzerland is held by Walters Art Museum.

What movement is The Jungfrau, Switzerland?

The Jungfrau, Switzerland is associated with Barbizon school.

Artwork

The Jungfrau, Switzerland

Alexandre Calame , 1853

The Jungfrau, Switzerland is an oil painting by the Barbizon school artist Alexandre Calame. It dates from 1853 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.

About this work

Overview

Alexandre Calame’s 1853 oil painting titled The Jungfrau, Switzerland presents a tranquil Alpine scene. The composition centers on the snow‑capped Jungfrau peak, its lofty summit softened by a gentle sky. A modest stream winds through the foreground, catching the light and leading the viewer’s eye toward the distant mountain.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures the serene majesty of the Swiss Alps, emphasizing the harmonious relationship between water and rock. By portraying the peak under diffused illumination, Calame suggests the timeless, contemplative quality of the landscape, inviting reflection on nature’s quiet grandeur.

Technique & Style

Calame employs chiaroscuro to model the mountain’s mass, contrasting illuminated snow with deeper shadows on the slopes. Bold, expressive brushwork and impasto layers give the surface a tactile quality, while the luminous sky and reflective water enhance the sense of depth.

History & Provenance

Created in 1853, the painting entered the collection of the Walters Art Museum, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the 19th‑century European interest in Alpine vistas and the museum’s commitment to representing landscape painting of that era.