WALENSEE

In 1938 Eduard Imhof finished an astonishing painting. In his book "Cartographic Relief Presentation" he writes: "This map image, the original covering 9.6 square meters, was not adapted from a colored aerial photograph, but stemmed rather from the free artistic interpretation of visual impressions gained during long walks through the mountains." And: "The goal was to achieve as natural an impression as possible, including the third dimension, with the aid of artistic 'techniques'. ... In particular, nature contains no lines, so all linear elements had to be left out."

"Karte der Gegend um den Walensee" by E. Imhof 1:10,000, 1938.

"Karte der Gegend um den Walensee" (section) by E. Imhof 1:10,000, 1938.

The picture conforms to the natural appearance of the landscape. For inspiration, Imhof "chose the visual experience of a landscape painter and his artistic conception."

The original art, painted with gouache colors, measures 480 x 200 cm. It is on permanent exhibit at the Swiss Alpine Museum in Bern.