The artwork titled “Valle de México desde el cerro de Santa Isabel,” created by Jose Maria Velasco in 1875, is a distinguished example of the Realism movement and belongs to the landscape genre. This masterpiece captures the grandeur of the Valley of Mexico as seen from the hill of Santa Isabel.
Within the artwork, Velasco employs meticulous detail and a masterful use of light to portray the expansive valley landscape. The foreground features rugged terrain with scattered boulders and lush vegetation. Two small figures, possibly peasants, are depicted in traditional attire, contributing to the sense of scale and rural life. The middle ground reveals a series of hills and a body of water reflecting the sky’s hues, while the distant background captures snow-capped mountains under a dramatic, cloud-filled sky. The painting, with its rich palette and precise brushwork, epitomizes the essence of Mexican topography and underscores Velasco’s profound appreciation for the natural world.
