Pass and waterfall in the Balkan Mountains

Description

Featured in the 1836 collaborative work of Thomas Allom and Robert Walsh, this steel engraving depicts a steep pass and an enthusiastic waterfall flowing through the Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria. The center of the composition is dominated by the dynamic movement and deep valley created by water cascading through massive rocks. Figures observing the landscape in the left foreground and on rocky outcrops, along with silhouettes of a caravan/travelers advancing on the upper path, introduce the human scale to the artwork. While aesthetically revealing the wild and rugged nature of the Balkans, the piece also reflects the historical transit routes passing through this challenging topography with a documentary quality.