Turf Houses Beneath Cliff Drangshlid Iceland Black And White | Limited Edition of 10

Historic Turf Homes Pressed Against Icelandic Cliff Face

I remember standing there, looking at these small turf houses pressed right up against the cliff, and thinking how little separates shelter from the elements in a place like this. The rock face rises abruptly behind them, dark and heavy, almost protective but also imposing. In front, the land opens out into a quiet stretch of grass that feels exposed to everything the Icelandic weather can throw at it.

The structures themselves are simple, almost stubborn in their presence. Thick stone walls, low profiles, and roofs covered in grass that blend them into the landscape. They don’t try to stand out—they endure. That’s what drew me in. There’s a kind of quiet resilience here that doesn’t need explanation. You see it in the texture of the stone, the uneven lines of the roof, and the way everything feels grounded, anchored.

I chose to photograph this scene in black and white because it strips things down to what matters. The contrast between the soft grass, the weathered walls, and the sheer cliff becomes more pronounced. The sky adds weight to the frame, with its layered clouds pressing down, reinforcing that sense of isolation and permanence. There’s no distraction of color—just structure, texture, and mood.

This wasn’t a staged moment or something constructed after the fact. I was there, walking through this quiet corner of Iceland, taking it in, waiting for the right balance in the light and sky. What you’re seeing is exactly how it felt—still, slightly heavy, and completely real.

Each print is produced with archival pigment inks on professional-grade paper and signed by me. It also includes a certificate of authenticity, tying it back to this exact place and moment—nothing manufactured, nothing artificial.

I tend to think of this piece as something that works well in spaces that benefit from a grounded, textured presence. Offices, reading rooms, or any area where you want something calm but not empty—something with a bit of weight to it. It’s not loud, but it holds attention quietly.

If you’re drawn to landscapes that feel real and lived-in rather than polished or idealized, this one settles into a space naturally without trying too hard.

Explore more from my Iceland landscape wall art collection.

© Dan Kosmayer, 2022