Foto van gebergte [Alpen?], Zwitserland [?] after 1870

This photograph of a snowy mountainscape, potentially in the Swiss Alps, was captured by Romedo Guler in the late 19th century. Guler, working in a time when photography was both an art and a tool for documentation, presents us with more than just a scenic view. The small figures scattered across the frozen expanse invite us to consider themes of identity and belonging within the overwhelming vastness of nature. Are they tourists, locals, or perhaps symbols of humanity's relationship with the sublime? Guler, who was based in Zurich and St. Moritz, operated in a society that was rapidly changing due to industrialization and the rise of tourism. The inclusion of a quaint church adds another layer, hinting at the intersection of faith, community, and the imposing natural world. As you consider the photograph, reflect on how it captures a moment in time, and maybe even a tension between the ephemeral presence of people against the timelessness of the mountains.