Who painted Mount Maudit, Savoy?

Mount Maudit, Savoy was painted by Auguste-Rosalie Bisson in 1860.

Where can I see Mount Maudit, Savoy?

Mount Maudit, Savoy is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Mount Maudit, Savoy?

Mount Maudit, Savoy is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Mount Maudit, Savoy

Auguste-Rosalie Bisson , 1860

Mount Maudit, Savoy is a photography by the Impressionist artist Auguste-Rosalie Bisson. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The image, captured by the Bisson brothers, depicts the summit of Mount Maudit in the Savoy Alps.

About this work

Overview

The image, captured by the Bisson brothers, depicts the summit of Mount Maudit in the Savoy Alps. At 14,649 feet, the peak dominates the composition with its stark, snow‑capped ridges and rugged outcrops, set against a heavy, overcast sky that emphasizes the mountain’s formidable presence.

Subject & Meaning

Mount Maudit, whose name translates as “cursed mountain,” was regarded in the 19th century as an almost unreachable summit. The photograph underscores this perception, presenting the cliff‑lined summit as a remote, untamed landscape that resisted human conquest until the late 1800s.

Technique & Style

Creating the image required the brothers to ascend with bulky glass‑plate cameras, a portable darkroom, and a full complement of chemicals. Working at altitude demanded rapid preparation and development of plates before the cold could impair the emulsions, resulting in a sharply rendered contrast of light on snow and deep shadow in the crags.

History & Provenance

Although the photograph was taken before the first recorded ascent in 1878, it circulated among scientific and artistic circles in the 1860s, illustrating the possibilities of alpine photography. Original prints remain in several European museum collections, documenting early photographic exploration of high‑mountain environments.

Context

The Bisson brothers were pioneers of large‑format landscape photography, and their work on Mount Maudit exemplifies the era’s fascination with the sublime in nature. Their images contributed to a growing public interest in mountaineering and the scientific study of alpine geology during the mid‑19th century.