2-730-371 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Gorge at Eaux Chaudes, Pyrenees, c. 1855. Little is known of the life and career of J. J. Heilmann. He was fascinated by the subject of civilized human life in the context of the primitive world. In this instance, the monumental stone bridge with a few tiny figures insert a human presence into what would otherwise be an overpowering natural setting. The arched structure is not only a reminder of the human ambition to compete with nature, it also blends in with the surrounding stone cliffs, suggesting a harmonious relationship.