“Rochers de Lanfon, Lake Annecy,” created by John Ruskin in 1863, belongs to the Romanticism art movement and exemplifies the landscape genre. The artwork showcases Ruskin’s renowned ability to capture the sublime beauty of nature, reflecting the principles of Romanticism that emphasize emotion and the natural world.
The artwork presents a serene yet imposing depiction of the Rochers de Lanfon, a mountain near Lake Annecy. The jagged peaks of the mountains rise sharply against a soft, pastel sky, creating a dramatic contrast between the rugged terrain and the ethereal atmosphere above. The colors are muted with shades of blues, greens, and earth tones, lending the piece a tranquil and contemplative mood. The delicate detailing of the mountain slopes and subtle gradients in the sky highlight Ruskin’s skill in rendering natural landscapes with a sense of reverence and majesty. The overall composition evokes a feeling of isolation and majesty, characteristic of the Romantic landscape tradition.