Nestled above Lucerne, Mount Pilatus is one of Switzerland’s most storied and spectacular peaks — a jagged ridge of alpine drama, folklore, and shifting light. It’s no surprise that this mountain, steeped in legend and weathered beauty, became the latest subject of Prue Bishop’s innovative Sculptural Watercolour® technique.
"Mountains have a natural rhythm," Prue says, "but when you add depth through sculpted paper, you also have to physically balance the layers — visually and structurally."
In the photograph above, Prue is carefully adjusting the foreground trees — hand-painted and hand-cut — as she builds the piece from background to foreground. Every ridge, fold, and brushstroke contributes not just to colour and form, but to dimensional harmony.
About Mount Pilatus
Rising to 2,128 metres, Mount Pilatus overlooks Lake Lucerne and is accessible by the world's steepest cogwheel railway. The mountain has inspired centuries of myths — from dragons to Pontius Pilate — and continues to captivate visitors with its shifting weather and panoramic views. In this piece, Prue interprets its layered geology through overlapping watercolour forms, giving the work both weight and motion.
A Historical Perspective: J.M.W. Turner's Pilatus
The allure of Mount Pilatus has long captivated artists, including the renowned British painter J.M.W. Turner. During his travels in Switzerland, Turner created several works featuring the Lucerne region. Notably, his 1841 watercolour Mount Pilatus from Lake Lucerne captures the mountain's dramatic presence against the tranquil lake, showcasing his fascination with the interplay of light and atmosphere in alpine landscapes .
Turner's depiction emphasizes the ethereal quality of Pilatus, with the mountain rendered in delicate washes that convey both its solidity and its ever-changing appearance under varying light conditions. This historical connection underscores the mountain's enduring inspiration for artists exploring the sublime in nature.
Watch the Artist at Work
In this short video, Prue shares her thoughts as she completes Mount Pilatus, explaining how she approaches foreground composition, visual weight, and the sculptural assembly of each layer.
Runtime: 23 seconds | Language: English | Subtitles: EN