Artwork
Ortler Spitz from Summit of Stelvio Pass (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook)
Ortler Spitz from Summit of Stelvio Pass (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook) is an unspecified painting by the Realist artist John Singer Sargent. It dates from 1869 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
The artist signed it in the corner with the date—September 25, 1869—and the name of the mountain, Ortler Spitz.
This sketch shows a snowy mountain peak looming over a small, dark building with a sloped roof. The scene is mostly in shades of gray and white, with just a hint of blue in the sky. The brushstrokes are loose and quick, giving it a rough, sketchy feel.
The artist signed it in the corner with the date—September 25, 1869—and the name of the mountain, Ortler Spitz. It looks like they were traveling and jotting down views on the spot.
Next, check out The Metropolitan Museum of Art to see this sketch in person.
Overview
John Singer Sargent’s 1869 water‑color sketch captures the summit of Ortler Spitz as seen from the Stelvio Pass. Executed on a page from a travel sketchbook, the work records a fleeting view of a snow‑capped peak towering above a modest dark‑roofed structure, rendered in muted grays, whites and a touch of sky‑blue.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the stark, icy silhouette of Ortler Spitz, emphasizing the mountain’s dominance over the surrounding landscape. The small building below serves as a scale reference, underscoring the vastness and isolation of the alpine environment that Sargent observed during his journey.
Technique & Style
Sargent employed rapid, loose brushwork characteristic of on‑site sketching, allowing the forms to emerge with a spontaneous, sketchy quality. The limited palette of cool tones and the emphasis on tonal contrast align the piece with Realist principles of direct observation and faithful rendering of natural light.
History & Provenance
The sketch was dated September 25, 1869, and signed by Sargent in the lower corner. It forms part of a larger sketchbook documenting his travels through the Alps. The page now belongs to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Context
Created while Sargent was still a young artist traveling across Europe, the work predates his later fame as a portraitist. At this stage he was absorbing the influences of French academic training and the Realist movement, which encouraged artists to depict landscapes with observational accuracy.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Singer Sargent (; January 12, 1856 – April 15, 1925) was an American expatriate artist, considered the "leading portrait painter of his generation" for his evocations of Belle Époque and Edwardian-era luxury.
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