There's an eternal kingdom up there. A boundless world of supreme beauty. Nature's masterpiece, I have to capture it. In the foreground of this fascinating black-and-white photograph, the Dirruhorn rises and, with its regal wingspan, points skywards. Also known as the Dürrenhorn, it marks the beginning of the Nadelgrat and rises to 4034 meters in the heart of the Valais Alps. And I still have fond memories of the day I climbed the long couloir on its face with Vivian Bruchez. Carried along by the momentum of its summit, our gaze caught up with the Lord of the Valais in the background. The Matterhorn rises valiantly, supported on its left by the Grivola, the famous summit of the Italian Alps, and on its right by the Dent d'Hérens.

I painted this portrait of the Dirruhorn in 2023. It was the only day of the year when I could enjoy such a spectacle. The only day when the elements came together to glorify the splendour of the Alps. The snow clinging to the mountain, the angle of the sun's rays on its immaculate walls. Never before had I photographed a sea of clouds at such a high altitude. Everything about this picture is exceptional. Too much wind, a few degrees more, a different light and the enchantment dies. The moment is precious, so let's savor it!

I love the contrasts that bring the work to life. The softness of the hues sublimates the beauty of this celestial panorama. The graphics alone express the grandeur of the mountains. The chain of pyramids rising out of the mist like islands of peace in the midst of torment. I photographed the Dirruhorn in the same way that I invite you on a journey. To walk its crests and contemplate its flanks. The texture of its snow-covered rock. The legends created along its lines. The depth of the mist and the lightness of the winds. A pure, intense ode to the Alps and its most beautiful features summits.