EDWARD HARRISON COMPTON (1881-1960)
Tre Cime di Laverado (2,999 m - 9,839 ft)
Italy
In Die drei zinnen in Südtirol, oil on canvas
The mountain
Tre Cime di Lavaredo (2,999 m - 9,839 ft) (The three peaks of Lavaredo) also called Drei Zinnen by Germans, are three distinctive battlement-like peaks, in the Sexten Dolomites of northeastern Italy. They are probably one of the best-known mountain groups in the Alps, and one of the most photographed in Italy. The three peaks are named, from east to west, "little peak" (Cima Piccola), "big peak" (Cima Grande) and "western peak" (Cima Ovest). The Cima Grande has an elevation of 2,999 metres (9,839 ft). It stands between the Cima Piccola, at 2,857 metres (9,373 ft), and the Cima Ouest, at 2,973 metres (9,754 ft).
Until 1919 the peaks formed part of the border between Italy and Austria. Now they lie on the border between the Italian provinces of South Tyrol and Belluno and still are a part of the linguistic boundary between German-speaking and Italian-speaking majorities. Both communities still battle today about the exact border line.
The surrounding around Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the path leading to the Three Peaks is popular among hikers. There are numerous routes leading from the surrounding communities to and around the peaks. The road that leads to the southern side of the Three Peaks was built during World War I as a transport road by pioneers to support the front troops in that war. Because of this there are a number of fortifications, man-made caves, and commemorative plaques in the area.
The peaks are also great for climbing. The first ascent of the Cima Grande was made in the early 1869 by Paul Grohmann, Franz Innerkofler and Peter Salcher. The Cima Ovest was first climbed exactly ten years later, in 1879. The Cima Piccola was conquered two years later on 1881. The partly overhanging northern face of the Cima Grande is considered by climbers to be one of the great north faces of the Alps, and was first climbed in 1933 after an ascent time of 3 days and 2 nights.
The painter
Edward Harrison Compton (1881–1960) not to be confused with his father Edward Theodore Compton (1849-1921) was a German landscape painter and illustrator of English descent. Compton was born in Feldafing in Upper Bavaria, Germany, the second son of notable landscape painter Edward Theodore Compton. He received his early art training from his father, and after a period of study in London at the Central School of Arts and Crafts settled back in Bavaria. Like his father he was inspired by the Alps to become a mountain painter ("bergmaller") working in both oils and watercolour. However, an attack of Polio at the age of 28 meant that he had to find more accessible landscapes to paint in Germany, England northern Italy and Sicily. He also provided illustrations for several travel books published by A & C Black. Compton exhibited at galleries in Munich and Berlin, and also in England at the Royal Academy in London and in Bradford. He died in Feldafing in 1960.He had two sisters, both of whom were artists: Marion Compton, the flowers and still-life painter, and Dora Keel-Compton, flower and mountain painter
