The Matterhorn: Remembering the Five-Hundred Fallen
The Matterhorn in Switzerland, (4,478 metres or 14,690 feet high) was first climbed successfully to the summit in 1865.
While by no means one of the tallest mountains in the world, it is arguably the most beautiful, with its attractive angles.
That first climb was also a tragic venture in that, of the seven who made it to the summit, four were to fall to their deaths on the descent, when the rope broke (Search, “The Day the Rope Broke”).
No accurate record exists of total deaths through falls over the years but best estimates say 500.
My first painting of this scene, completed end of May 2012, is loosely representative across the last one hundred and fifty years – the setting and the people, but not including the new-fangled modern, (like ski-lifts, etc) that one will find today around this mountain and the town of Zermatt.
I have placed red cotton thread to show where the four climbers fell. They fell a distance close to one mile, 3 of the bodies coming to rest on the glacial snow-field below (see four tiny crosses) and the fourth’s body was never found.
There was an enquiry into the tragedy during which blame was flung between various of those involved, but ultimately it was put down to misadventure.
In my younger days – 1950’s – (aged 7 or 8 maybe?) a movie based on the Matterhorn story, depicting the race between two parties to the summit, toured the theatres – even my home town, Murrurundi, got to see it.
From that moment on I loved alpine mountains and climbing. What a pity Australia no longer has such! Yes, it did once, millions of years ago.
I first attempted a Matterhorn painting one Saturday morning, nearly 40 years ago – dreadful thing it turned out! But I have still got it. This current effort took a little longer, at 145 days, working 3 to 4 hours per night.
On top of that I spent many hours researching the subject, via internet and purchase of books covering the history.
I also acquired that old Matterhorn movie, “The Challenge” (1938) starring Robert Douglas and Luis Trenker, now on DVD, to help bring it all back.
What a ‘journey’…
PHN
PS. Since writing the above I have painted four more similar Matterhorn scenes.
Peter Norvill
The Matterhorn: Remembering Five Hundred Fallen 2012
Oil and acrylic on canvas
158 x 132cm