The article reflects on the serene experience of summiting Rhinog Fach, where the tranquility of nature allows for relaxation and contemplation. The author describes the surrounding landscape of lakes, heather, and mountains, emphasizing a peaceful solitude compared to the crowded peak of Snowdon. It discusses the cultural evolution of mountains from feared places of myth and chaos, to respected sites of beauty and tranquility, influenced by artists like Nicolas Poussin and Caspar David Friedrich who helped reshape public perception through their artwork, highlighting the changing relationship humans have with nature over time.
There are no human voices to be heard, only birds. Summer has come early to these mountains and I wouldn't be anywhere else, drinking in that particular kind of tranquillity.
Changing culture and taste took a revolution led by artists and poets, men such as Nicolas Poussin, who in the 17th century tried to win people over with paintings of mysterious peaks.
It took another 150 years before the German artist Caspar David Friedrich relocated the wispy bits to the mountain tops, evicted the nymphs, and added one rugged poetic type.
Mountains were not always seen as appropriate places to relax on a summer's day. Those lofty, mist-wreathed realms held surprises, most of them nasty, such as trolls and demons.
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