Fontainebleau, chemin sablonneux montant 1854 - 1858

Gustave Le Gray captured this image, *Fontainebleau, chemin sablonneux montant*, using photography, a relatively new medium in the 19th century. Le Gray, as a privileged white man, had access to the technology and resources necessary to experiment with photography. He found inspiration in the French countryside. At the time, the Forest of Fontainebleau was a popular destination for artists seeking to capture the sublime beauty of nature. Look at the solitary road winding through the forest. It evokes a sense of romanticism, and perhaps a subtle commentary on man's place within the natural world. The path invites you into the unknown. Yet, it's worth considering who is welcome on this path, and who might be excluded or marginalized. Le Gray's photographs invite us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in landscape representation. It subtly shapes our understanding of nature and our relationship to it.