Majestic and indomitable, the Matterhorn rises like a celestial pyramid on the border between Switzerland and Italy. At an altitude of 4,478 metres, it dominates the world with its perfect silhouette, a masterpiece of nature and the absolute symbol of the Alps. That day, the mountain offered me one of its most beautiful faces. Covered in snow, the face glistened in the winter light, while the rocks, still visible in places, revealed the raw texture of the Matterhorn.

In this color photograph, the iconic Lion to Hörnli traverse is revealed in all its splendor. On the left, the Lion ridge, noble and wild, rises from the Italian side to reach the summit. On the right, the Hörnli ridge, a historic route climbed in 1865 by Edward Whymper, traces its mythical line to the sky.

I did this work under exceptional conditions, after a snowstorm that transformed the Matterhorn into a cathedral of ice. The wind was still blowing, brushing the summit with an icy breath. In front of me, the mountain shone with an almost unreal light.

Every detail of this photograph reminds me of the strength of the Matterhorn. The deep contrasts underline the purity of its snow, the nobility of its rock. Black and white might have been appropriate, but here color becomes a tribute: that of living stone, copper and frost mingled together. I love this work for what it reveals - the beauty of the Matterhorn when it is decked out in its finest finery, sovereign and eternal.