ALTUM

Historical and Geographical Context

Zakopane, often called the winter capital of Poland, lies in the southern part of the country at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. It is a place where nature’s raw power meets a unique architectural identity known as the Zakopane Style. For centuries, this highlander settlement remained a hidden gem of the Podhale region, eventually evolving into a sanctuary for those seeking both health and inspiration.

Historically, Zakopane served as a crucial stronghold for Polish culture during the difficult eras of partition and war. When Poland was erased from the map, this mountain enclave became a spiritual hub where artists, writers, and musicians gathered to preserve the national identity. The freedom of the mountains mirrored the freedom of the Polish spirit, making Zakopane a symbol of cultural endurance and creative liberty.

The surrounding Tatra Mountains are the highest range in the Carpathian arc, characterized by jagged granite peaks, alpine meadows, and emerald glacial lakes. These mountains are not merely a landscape; they are a living entity that dictates the rhythm of life below. Their monumental presence provides a dramatic backdrop that has defined the aesthetic of every artist who has ever dared to capture them.

Winding through these heights are the famous mountain trails, ranging from gentle walks to demanding climbs. From these paths, the town of Zakopane reveals itself in a breathtaking perspective. Looking down from the slopes, one sees the harmony between human habitation and the vast, untamed wilderness – a view that offers a rare sense of clarity and scale to every traveler.

The Work and the Author

Before you is an extraordinary view captured by Vselenskyi during his time in Zakopane, sketched from a hiking trail leading up one of the hills.

This is the remarkable path Vselenskyi used to climb while living there. Not everyone would dare to make the ascent on foot, but Vselenskyi adored doing so because this route is absolutely unique in the beauty of the landscape it reveals.

The journey would begin at the town market, adjacent to the base of the mountain, starting with a narrow trail. At first, the slope did not seem steep – one might have mistaken it for a simple forest path. But the further you go, the steeper the incline becomes, and the faster you rise above the world.

Halfway up, there is a small meadow surrounded by local spruces where you can stop and look back at the path you have traveled. It is here that an incredibly beautiful view opens before your eyes: the town of Zakopane in all its glory, with hills and mountains stretching into the distance. You see the rooftops of the town like tiny glass shards scattered on a bedroom carpet, the tops of trees breaking through the urban fabric, and the endless webs of small streets.

Altum: Where Earth Meets the Infinite

Vselenskyi stopped, breathed in the air, and wrote: “Zakopane is a striking view that costs you nothing. All you need to do is climb a little higher, and you will be amazed by this beauty. Hundreds of small roofs, dozens of streets, and infinite nature. It is there that you feel how physically tiny a human is on this planet, yet how spiritually immense they can be to be able to enjoy such beauty. This is about all of us.”

Many who ascend or descend stop at this clearing to rest, drink tea, and simply feel the scale. To feel how far your gaze can reach toward the horizon, seeing distances you could not reach even in a full day’s walk. It is a unique view, hauntingly beautiful and captivating. You feel a desire to embrace it all – to embrace and inhale this air, which is so pristine it feels as though you could almost bite it. Even here, standing above the rooftops, the spruces rise even higher than you.

Vselenskyi often walked this path to savor this view, which seemed different every evening yet felt as though it hadn’t changed for a thousand years.

The main intent behind this painting was to convey this sense of scale, this feeling of nature, and the freedom a person gains when witnessing it. It captures the essence of a tiny human in a vast world that existed long before us and will remain long after.
Look at this painting, and you will see the world as people saw it here hundreds, even thousands of years ago. These endless hills receding into the horizon seem to guard the peace of the local residents, offering them protection and hope.

This is a wondrous place that has preserved not only local culture and traditions but also its native nature, which welcomes everyone who seeks to enjoy this beauty and this profound sense of solitude.