DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.60474#0014
ing dim blue while on the slopes of the mountains the light grows brighter and
brighter and all is reflected in the waters of the Etsch on whose banks the trees
stand in deep green shadow. Colour creates a new perspective; in the foreground
it is strong, in the distance where the valley is closed in by the hills it is softened
and subdued by light vapours, a haze in which all outlines are dissolved. Although
Dürer like a geographer set himself conscientiously to draw every line and detail
of the towers and walls of the town, (of which he made studies on another page)
although he worked in the foliage of the fore and middleground in faithful colour,
insensibly his pace quickened in the presence of that transient view. His atten-
tion was irresistibly drawn to the contemplation of masses of colour, crossed by
dominating lights and shadows, until he ceased to be only a draughtsman and
began to paint. When he stood before the rocky castle or the Arco tower the
graphic details of the masses of rock before him disturbed him no more than
did the details of the panorama of the Etsch. And so that glittering jewelled
sketch of Innsbruck seen across the broad waters of the Inn, with the icy Patscher-
kof en sparkling against the blue sky behind, seems to be a tissue woven of colour
6
brighter and all is reflected in the waters of the Etsch on whose banks the trees
stand in deep green shadow. Colour creates a new perspective; in the foreground
it is strong, in the distance where the valley is closed in by the hills it is softened
and subdued by light vapours, a haze in which all outlines are dissolved. Although
Dürer like a geographer set himself conscientiously to draw every line and detail
of the towers and walls of the town, (of which he made studies on another page)
although he worked in the foliage of the fore and middleground in faithful colour,
insensibly his pace quickened in the presence of that transient view. His atten-
tion was irresistibly drawn to the contemplation of masses of colour, crossed by
dominating lights and shadows, until he ceased to be only a draughtsman and
began to paint. When he stood before the rocky castle or the Arco tower the
graphic details of the masses of rock before him disturbed him no more than
did the details of the panorama of the Etsch. And so that glittering jewelled
sketch of Innsbruck seen across the broad waters of the Inn, with the icy Patscher-
kof en sparkling against the blue sky behind, seems to be a tissue woven of colour
6