Object ID:
2013.28
Title:
L'Ascension Du Mont Blanc Par Un Aveugle: M. Campbell Franchissant La Cote De La Tournette
Creator:
Semeghini, Defendi
Description:
Engraved illustration from the September 25th, 1880 edition of the French magazine, "L'Illustration"; the picture features an ice covered mountain slope angled sharply up to the right and disappearing overhead; a team of six climbers heads up the slope of a lesser peak in the near left foreground near a unique pointed rock, emerging from a dark crevice in the lower right; one climber stands atop the lesser hill, resting on his climbing pick, a second is halfway up, and holds the rope for his fellows; figure four appears to be Francis Campbell, climbers on either side assist him as he begins to climb; a sixth man at the end of the roped procession braces himself slightly to anchor the line; signed in lower left, "D. Semeghini" and in lower right, "Ch. Baude"; legend at top, "25 Septenbre 1880 L'Illustration No 1961 -- 209".
Dimensions:
H-14.125 W-10.125 inches
Date:
1880
Made by:
Semeghini, Defendi; Baude, Charles
Place of Origin:
Paris, France
Provenance:
The title refers to the pointed rock in the center of the picture the "Spinner," a lesser peak on the normal approach to the summit of Mt. Blanc.
Sir Francis Joseph Campbell (1832-1914) was born in Tennessee, and lost his sight as a child in an accident. At 16 he was appointed music master at the Tennessee School for the Blind and later went on to become musical director at the Wisconsin School for the Blind. He also taught at the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston. In 1871 he helped Thomas Armitage found the Royal National College for the Blind in London, England and lived the rest of his life in Europe. In 1880, he became the first person who was blind to climb Mt. Blanc, the highest peak in western Europe.
The artist, Defendi Semeghini (1852-1891) was an Italian who worked for several illustrated magazines in Paris. The engraver was Charles Baude (1853-1935).
Sir Francis Joseph Campbell (1832-1914) was born in Tennessee, and lost his sight as a child in an accident. At 16 he was appointed music master at the Tennessee School for the Blind and later went on to become musical director at the Wisconsin School for the Blind. He also taught at the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston. In 1871 he helped Thomas Armitage found the Royal National College for the Blind in London, England and lived the rest of his life in Europe. In 1880, he became the first person who was blind to climb Mt. Blanc, the highest peak in western Europe.
The artist, Defendi Semeghini (1852-1891) was an Italian who worked for several illustrated magazines in Paris. The engraver was Charles Baude (1853-1935).
Credit Line:
Museum Purchase, 2013.28.
Click to Enlarge
Print, Francis Campbell Climbing Mt. Blanc
Print, Francis Campbell Climbing Mt. Blanc