The Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland, often referred to as the “jewel of the Swiss Alps,” has captivated artists, adventurers, and nature lovers alike for centuries. Its dramatic, pyramid-shaped peak reaches 4,478 meters, creating a striking presence against the surrounding alpine landscape. The mountain’s aesthetic allure, marked by its symmetric and iconic shape, makes it a symbol of both beauty and challenge.
Photographers and artists, such as Croatian photographer Nenad Šaljić, have turned the Matterhorn into an almost mythical “creature” through their work. Šaljić’s black-and-white photographic series, *Matterhorn: Portrait of a Mountain*, captures the mountain’s seemingly animate, timeless essence, transforming the geological landmark into a symbol of endurance and natural artistry. This project, which started in 2009, portrays the Matterhorn as a dynamic force within nature, emphasizing its ever-changing appearance due to the interplay of light and shadow across seasons and weather conditions. Such artistic depictions have even found their way into major exhibitions and collections worldwide, solidifying the Matterhorn’s status as both a natural wonder and a piece of living art【6†source】【7†source】.
The mountain’s unique character also continues to draw adventurers year-round, from the scenic viewpoints of the Gornergrat ridge to the ski routes at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe’s highest summer skiing area.