Jürgen Wettke, Elements of Iceland

An essential illustrated coffee table book showcasing the unique natural beauty of a volcanic island

Stunning visual inspiration for fans of landscape photography, ecology, admirers of Iceland, and world travelers alike

In Halldór Laxness’ novel Under the Glacier, the protagonist travels from Reykjavík to the mythical volcano at the Snæfellsjökull glacier,a place in whose shadow “words cease to have even the slightest meaning.” This could be a leitmotif for Jürgen Wettke’s Iceland images. Whereas language can hardly convey the majesty and beauty of a landscape, the photographs in Elements of Iceland speak volumes in their eloquence. Wettke’s photographic journey across the volcanic island is guided by nature’s elemental forces: he shows us the diverse forms of fire, water, air, light, and earth. Whether the structures of lava flows, sculptural ice formations, or nature’s artworks, aurora borealis, lighting up the sky—Jürgen Wettke’s photography brings us closer to these wonders of nature. We discover Iceland in an entirely new and breathtaking way!

JÜRGEN WETTKE was born in 1953 in Hagen, Germany. In addition to his successful career—including as a leader in one of the largest corporate consulting firms—he has been passionate about photography since he was a boy. He is focused more on perspective and the use of light than on technique. In recent years, his special focus has been landscape photography. His captivating photos aim to raise awareness of how fragile our planet’s ecosystems are. Also published by teNeues are The Art of the Wadden Sea and The Namib Desert, with traveling exhibitions in Düsseldorf, Hamburg, and Salzburg.