Who painted Chute de la Tritt dans la vallée de Muhlethal?

Chute de la Tritt dans la vallée de Muhlethal was painted by Charles-Melchior Descourtis in 1776.

Where can I see Chute de la Tritt dans la vallée de Muhlethal?

Chute de la Tritt dans la vallée de Muhlethal is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Chute de la Tritt dans la vallée de Muhlethal?

Chute de la Tritt dans la vallée de Muhlethal is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Chute de la Tritt dans la vallée de Muhlethal

Charles-Melchior Descourtis , 1776

Chute de la Tritt dans la vallée de Muhlethal is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles-Melchior Descourtis. It dates from 1776 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1776, this color proof print by Charles‑Melchior Descourtis depicts a powerful waterfall cascading over rugged cliffs in the Muhlethal valley.

Created in 1776, this color proof print by Charles‑Melchior Descourtis depicts a powerful waterfall cascading over rugged cliffs in the Muhlethal valley. A wooden bridge spans the crest of the falls, populated by a handful of figures, while additional people gather on the rocks and riverbank below. A rainbow arches across the spray, and birds are shown in flight near the cliffs, adding movement to the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The composition emphasizes the sublime force of nature, contrasting the tumultuous water with the delicate human presence. The tiny figures, rendered in miniature, serve to highlight the scale of the landscape, suggesting both admiration and humility before the natural spectacle. The inclusion of a rainbow and birds introduces a fleeting, hopeful element amid the dramatic setting.

Technique & Style

Descourtis employed an etching and wash method on laid paper, producing a colored proof that combines line work with tonal washes. The technique allows precise rendering of the rocky textures and the fluid dynamics of the waterfall, while the wash adds atmospheric depth and subtle gradations of light, particularly in the mist and rainbow.

History & Provenance

The work originates from the late eighteenth‑century French printmaking tradition, a period when landscape subjects gained popularity among collectors. As a proof, the print represents an early stage in the production process, offering insight into Descourtis’s experimental approach to color and texture before final editions were issued.