Artwork
Alpine Scenery : Packhorses coming up a Pass
Alpine Scenery : Packhorses coming up a Pass is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist Cozens. It dates from 1776 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Alpine Scenery: Packhorses coming up a Pass is a 1776 watercolour painting capturing a serene mountainous scene.
About this work
Overview
Alpine Scenery: Packhorses coming up a Pass is a 1776 watercolour painting capturing a serene mountainous scene.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a solitary figure leading two packhorses up a rugged mountain pass, set against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks and a sparse, pine-dotted valley. The composition emphasizes the vastness of nature, with human and animal figures rendered small in comparison.
Technique & Style
The artist employed light, soft washes to achieve a dreamy, ethereal quality, blending the pale sky seamlessly with distant mountains. This technique imbues the landscape with a glowing, contemplative atmosphere.
Context
Created in 1776, the work predates the full flourishing of Romanticism, yet it anticipates the movement's emphasis on nature's emotional resonance and grandeur. The painting's mood and composition reflect an early inclination towards Romantic ideals.
Legacy
While not directly associated with the peak of Romanticism, Alpine Scenery: Packhorses coming up a Pass influences the transition towards Romantic landscape painting, highlighting the emotional potential of natural settings.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Cozens is an English surname. Following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the name Cozens was first found in Britina. It was a name for a person who was related to someone of note in the area. Further research…
![The Alps [recto], by John Singer Sargent](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-singer-sargent--the-alps-recto--be3c1d8551c9fe49-w320.webp)
