Trektocht in de Oostenrijkse Alpen 1930 - 1938

"Trektocht in de Oostenrijkse Alpen," or Trek in the Austrian Alps, is an undated photo album page by Berti Hoppe. The images offer a glimpse into the experience of traversing the mountainous terrain, and invites us to consider themes of exploration and identity in the context of early 20th-century European culture. Here, the artist documents not only the landscape but also human presence within it, with images of figures atop peaks and alongside stone structures. We might ask, what did such journeys mean for individuals and groups? How did these experiences shape their understanding of themselves and their place in the world? What role did the performance of physical activities play in defining gender and class identities, and who was excluded from these representations? In the end, Hoppe's photo album page resonates with the emotional dimensions of physical endeavor, as it considers the relationship between landscape, identity, and the human drive to explore, which asks us to reflect on the way our environment can influence our sense of self.