Bridal veil – Véu da Noiva, Made

by Steffen Peters

On Madeira’s rugged north coast, the Véu da Noiva waterfall plunges over steep, verdant cliffs almost straight into the Atlantic. Add to that storm clouds, the surf and deep greenery. Between Seixal and São Vicente, the cliffs of the north coast drop almost vertically into the sea. There, the Véu da Noiva, the ‘bridal veil’, flows down the rock face in a narrow, white ribbon. Carved into the sheer face is the old coastal road, which used to be the only link along this stretch of coast and is now barely visible as a fine line in the rock.

The picture shows the coast at its most rugged. Heavy clouds hang over the ocean, and the surf draws bright arcs along the dark pebble beach. The spray from the waterfall hangs in the damp air. The cool, muted colour palette of petrol blue, dark green and grey emphasises the power and seclusion of the place. The diagonal line of the cliff draws the eye deep into the picture towards the mountains in the haze.

This motif is ideal for rooms that lend themselves to character, such as a study, a living room or a hallway with a large wall surface. It complements dark, modern interiors, wood and natural materials.