“The Mountain,” created by the artist Balthus in 1937, is a genre painting that falls under the art movement of Surrealism. This oil on canvas piece measures 248.9 by 365.8 centimeters and is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, NY, USA.
The artwork depicts a scenic mountain landscape where several human figures are engaged in various activities. One figure, poised and stretching with arms raised, stands prominently in the foreground, while another kneels and appears to be handling a bag or an object on the ground. A third figure lies motionless, suggesting contemplation or rest. In the background, the silhouettes of additional figures can be observed performing different actions characterized by their sharp contours against the imposing, rocky cliffs. The interplay of human activity against the vast, surreal mountainous backdrop creates a juxtaposition that is characteristic of the Surrealist movement. The tonal contrasts and meticulous detailing in the depiction of light and landscape further enhance the dreamlike quality of the scene.
