Gabelhorn Glacier, Zermatt District, High Alps c. 1885

Curator: Before us is Vittorio Sella's photograph, "Gabelhorn Glacier, Zermatt District, High Alps," currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's strikingly desolate. The stark contrast between the snow and sky really emphasizes the immense scale. You feel dwarfed looking at this. Curator: Indeed, Sella's work is crucial to understanding the evolving visual culture surrounding mountaineering and exploration. His photographs served scientific, propagandistic, and aesthetic purposes. Editor: I’m struck by the texture of the ice and snow. You can almost feel the crunch underfoot, and see the layers compressed. And look how tiny those figures are on the ridge. One can only imagine what clothing or instruments they used for climbing. Curator: Precisely. This image reflects the growing fascination with conquering nature, fueled by industrial advancements and imperial ambitions. Sella often presented a romantic view of Alpine exploration. Editor: Seeing the marks left by pickaxes, and understanding the physical labor involved, connects us to the raw materiality of the landscape and human intervention. It makes one think about the environmental impact too. Curator: A powerful reminder of our complex relationship with nature. Editor: Absolutely, it makes me reconsider my own connection to the earth.