“Sunrise on the Matterhorn”
Here is a majestic piece from the talented Albert Bierstadt.
“Sunrise on the Matterhorn” is an oil on canvas painting by the German American artist, Albert Bierstadt. It was painted sometime after 1875. Bierstadt’s paintings imbue the luminism art style. His focus on the light and atmosphere of this serene setting showcases his mastery of depicting the effects of soft, warm, and infusing light.
The Matterhorn is one of the most famous peaks in the Alps. It straddles the border between Switzerland and Italy. Here, Bierstadt paints the north and east facing sides of the Matterhorn as seen from Switzerland. He paints it at dawn, with a bright and saturated pink sky illuminated from the rising sun.
Snow decorates the summit. The mountains are sharp and rugged. Early morning fog envelopes the mountain’s base, with the peak emerging from the clouds above. Tall pine trees stand in shadow on a rocky outcropping in the foreground, providing a visual contrast to the soft pink glow of the mountain’s peak. Though tall, the trees dwarf in comparison with the Matterhorn. The vertical format of the painting reinforces the immensity of the mountain. The entire painting imbues a soft pink glow.
In 1853, Bierstadt returned to Germany to study landscape painting at the Kunstakademie in Düsseldorf. In 1856, he first visited the Alps on a sketching trip with his friend and mentor, American artist, Thomas Worthington Whittredge, and American artist, Sanford Robinson Gifford. Bierstadt created a series of sketches during his trip and turned them into large scale paintings upon returning to his studio.
Bierstadt was captivated by the Swiss Alps. It was one of his favorite locations and revisited it time and time again between 1867 and 1897. Bierstadt painted the Matterhorn at least 15 times. He even made several paintings of the same view. One recently sold earlier this year (2025) at a Sotheby’s art auction.
“Sunrise on the Matterhorn” is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, in the United States.
For more on Albert Bierstadt, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
