Grosse Grünhorn, Jungfrau, under it the Kleine Grünhorn, Bernese Oberland 1908

Curator: A. G. Wehrli's photograph, "Grosse Grünhorn, Jungfrau," presents a stark, imposing view of the Bernese Oberland mountains. Editor: The stark monochrome palette immediately evokes a sense of cold remoteness, doesn't it? The composition is dominated by the sharp, angular forms of the mountains. Curator: Certainly. Looking at this image, I'm reminded of the rise of alpinism and how these landscapes were being reshaped not only by natural forces but also by human ambition and colonial desire. These mountains became sites of conquest. Editor: I see the tonal gradations creating a powerful contrast between light and shadow, really emphasizing the rugged textures of the rock and snow. Curator: It's interesting to consider how the romantic ideal of the sublime, often associated with nature, intersects with the political and social realities of the time. Editor: Indeed, and Wehrli's masterful arrangement of light and form allows us to experience this space in a wholly unique way. Curator: Exactly. By analyzing how landscape and identity intersect in Wehrli’s time, we can rethink current issues like environmentalism and social justice.