This panoramic view highlights the Imperial Crown of Zinal, in Switzerland. It is made up of the most prestigious summits over 4000 meters in the Alps. These mountains dominate val d’Anniviers, in the canton of Valais, on the border with the Zermatt valley.

The photograph, taken not far from Mount Besso, plunges us into the heart of this natural jewel. FromObergabelhorn, we sail towards the Matterhorn, Dent Blanche and Grand Cornier, to arrive at the Pointe de Zinal. The only summit peak in the picture with an altitude of less than 4,000 metres, it owes its name to its neighbouring village. In the background, the mountains surrounding the Zermatt valley, including Liskamm, stand out through the mist. I was lucky enough to be able to climb all the summits peaks that make up this magnificent panorama.

I painted this picture in the early afternoon, as the clouds were dissipating after the passage of a winter storm. I wanted to accentuate the depth of the image. In the background, the summits clouds rise almost mystically from the sea of clouds in the foreground. I love this celestial atmosphere, which sublimates the beauty of the high mountains in a very uncluttered setting.

For this vibrant, mysterious picture, I was inspired by the style of Vincent Munier, an animal photographer who creates his work in very light tones. This photograph is therefore very different from the more powerful blacks and whites I usually use. Here, white dominates, bringing a strong luminosity to the whole. This bewitching, voluptuous clarity is a real eye-catcher, and generally very pleasing.