Other Natural History · 19th century
€ 389
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good condition with light age toning and scattered foxing mainly visible in the margins, typical for prints of this age. The image remains clear with good contrast.
Ochistein Rock at Oberhasli Valley Entrance, Bern Alps Lithograph, c.1825
This dramatic nineteenth-century alpine landscape lithograph depicts the striking rock formation known as La Roche d’Ochistein at the entrance of the Oberhasli Valley in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. The composition centers on the remarkable slanted monolith rising beside a mountain path, one of the most distinctive natural landmarks along the historic alpine route through this region.
The print is signed at the lower left “Villeneuve f.” indicating that the scene was drawn by the artist Villeneuve. The lithographic printing was executed by the renowned Paris printer Godefroy Engelmann, whose credit appears on the sheet as “Lith. de G. Engelmann.” Engelmann (1788–1839) was one of the pioneers of lithography in Europe and played a crucial role in refining the technique during the early nineteenth century. His Paris workshop produced many finely executed landscape prints celebrated for their tonal depth and precision.
The scene captures the dramatic geological formation leaning steeply beside a rustic alpine building. A small mountain house sits at the base of the rock, emphasizing the enormous scale of the formation. In the foreground several travelers walk along a mountain path accompanied by a dog, while others stand near the building. A wooden bridge spans a rushing stream to the right, adding movement and depth to the composition.
The Ochistein rock lies near the entrance to the Oberhasli valley along the historic route toward the Grimsel Pass, an important alpine crossing linking central Switzerland with the upper Rhône Valley. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries this region became a popular destination for travelers exploring the dramatic landscapes of the Swiss Alps. Artists frequently depicted these striking natural formations to satisfy the growing European fascination with alpine scenery.
The composition reflects the Romantic appreciation for the sublime character of mountain landscapes. The towering rock formation, rugged terrain, rushing water, and distant peaks combine to create a powerful visual impression of the Alpine environment. The figures in the foreground serve both as narrative elements and as a means of emphasizing the monumental scale of the landscape.
Lithographic views of Switzerland were widely collected in the early nineteenth century, particularly by travelers who wished to preserve memories of their journeys through the Alps. Prints such as this were often included in albums illustrating notable landscapes, geological curiosities, and picturesque mountain routes.
This original antique print is offered unframed, allowing the buyer full freedom of framing choice.
Condition report:
Good condition with light age toning and scattered foxing mainly visible in the margins, typical for prints of this age. The image remains clear with good contrast.
Framing tips:
This print displays beautifully in a dark walnut or ebonized frame with a generous ivory or warm cream mat. The wide margins allow for a museum-style presentation that highlights the dramatic alpine landscape.
Technique: Lithograph
Maker: Villeneuve (artist), lithographed by Godefroy Engelmann, Paris, circa 1825
Keywords:
antique alpine lithograph, Oberhasli valley Switzerland, Ochistein rock print, Bernese Alps landscape, Villeneuve lithograph, Engelmann lithography Paris, Swiss mountain landscape print, Grimsel Pass scenery, romantic alpine landscape art, nineteenth century Swiss print, dramatic rock formation Alps, Oberhasli canton Bern landscape, collectible antique alpine print
