Symbiosis of the Titans

This panoramic photograph shows the north faces of the Zinalrothorn,Obergabelhorn and the Matterhorn, three of the most prestigious summits in Switzerland's Valais Alps.

Located in the region of val d’Anniviers and Zermatt, these towering mountains are several kilometers apart. Yet here, they seem to stand side by side. I spent a long time studying the cartography of the Valais to find the precise location that would give this impression of proximity to the mountains. This position does not exist on the ground. I had to do this painting from the top of a helicopter, above val d’Anniviers, to be able to crystallize this symbiosis between the elements.

I usually like to witness the magical moment when the mountains tear through the clouds. Here, the challenge was the opposite: to achieve such purity of line, I had to wait for a snowstorm to break over summits and be followed by a cloudless morning. The challenge was enormous. All the more so as I had to meet another challenge: to be present when these conditions would be met during the few weeks a year when the north faces of the mountains are illuminated by the sun's rays. A portrait of one of nature's treasures, this work is the fruit of the mountain photographer's patience, constantly on the lookout for the right spot and the perfect moment.

Unfortunately, these special conditions are becoming increasingly rare with global warming. There is less and less precipitation bringing snow that sticks to summits . Since I took this exceptional shot in 2018, the high mountain landscape has changed a lot. AtObergabelhorn, the snow has given way to rocks in various places on the walls, and the Zinalrothorn glacier is unrecognizable.

I love this panorama of the most beautiful summits in the Alps. It reminds me vividly of the day I climbed them. In this work, I sought aestheticism through a pure, intense play of lines and light, highlighting the authenticity and grandeur of these mythical mountains. Thanks to this particular angle of view, I also sought the perfect alignment of summits, which seem to form a single whole, symbolizing the power and elegance of these natural monuments.