Julius von Bismarck in Dossena: “Landscape Painting (Mine)” in the historic mine of Val Brembana
A work of art carved into the rock
In the heart of the Orobie Alps, in the historic mine of Val Brembana in Dossena, German artist Julius von Bismarck has created a truly unique work: Landscape Painting (Mine). The project, part of the ‘Pensare come una montagna’ (Thinking like a mountain) cycle of the Orobie Biennial
promoted by GAMeC, took place between 7 th June and 14 th September 2025. Unlike a traditional painting, the artist paints directly on the rocky walls of the mine, transforming the mining surface into a living canvas.
Technique and historical-artistic inspirations
Von Bismarck draws inspiration from historical engravings, woodcuts and copperplate prints. Artists such as Albrecht Dürer, Caspar David Friedrich, Paul Cézanne and Paul Klee are part of his frame of reference. However, instead of using perspective to simulate depth (as in classical painting), the artist adopts a “reversed” approach: he paints black lines and hatching that flatten the three-dimensionality of the quarry, transforming the rocky landscape into a two-dimensional image.
Memory of the territory and eco-political significance
Dossena mine is not only a symbolic place, but also a historic mining site: iron and fluorite have been extracted there for centuries. With his monumental pictorial gesture, von Bismarck does not merely seek to represent the landscape, but to physically enter it, measuring it, transforming it and, at the same time, respecting it. The work also has a strong symbolic value: the painting is not intended to last forever. The black lines will slowly dissolve under the action of atmospheric agents, recalling the fragility of memory and the unstable relationship between man and nature. This process highlights the contradictions of landscape representation: von Bismarck reflects on how nature is always mediated by an anthropocentric perspective, and how natural beauty is shaped by human culture.
Dialogue with the mining heritage of Dossena
The local community actively participated in the project: the Municipality of Dossena, the Mining Association and the Menna Ortighera Forestry Consortium collaborated with the artist from the early stages.
Some original elements of the mine, such as mining ladders and objects used by workers, were incorporated into the work, breaking with the idea of a neutral nature and repositioning human beings as an integral part of the landscape.
An immersive experience for visitors
Visiting the mine to admire Landscape Painting (Mine) means moving through a unique environment: the darkness of the quarry, the interaction with the rock and the artist’s graphics create an experience that goes beyond simple contemplation.
The cultural and tourist value for Dossena
This artistic intervention strengthens the link between the local community, mining history and contemporary art.
For Dossena, Landscape Painting (Mine) is not only a high-profile tourist attraction but also an opportunity to enhance the mining heritage in a cultural context.
The project is part of a broader cultural regeneration process: the mine becomes not only a museum but also a “living canvas” with which to engage in dialogue about the industrial past, collective memory and the future of the area.
Practical information for visitors
- Exhibition period: from 7th june 2025
- Location: Dossena Mines, Brembana Valley
- How to visit: guided tours of the mine, information and reservations on the VisitDossena website
