Gezicht op de Gspaltenhorn, de Blüemlisalp en de Schilthorn in de Berner Alpen 1870s - 1880s

Arthur Gabler captured this view of the Gspaltenhorn, Blüemlisalp, and Schilthorn in the Bernese Alps with a photographic eye. The mountains stand as silent witnesses, their snow-capped peaks evoking a sense of timelessness and spiritual elevation. Throughout history, mountains have been potent symbols, representing the sacred and the sublime. Think of Mount Olympus, home to the Greek gods, or Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. The upward thrust of a mountain embodies an aspiration towards the heavens. The presence of snow, too, is rich with meaning. It can represent purity, transformation, and the harsh realities of nature. One might consider its parallels with the white garments worn in religious rituals. The mountains’ imposing nature, with its peaks piercing the sky, stirs deep psychological responses. It inspires both awe and a recognition of our mortality. These mountains are not merely geological formations; they are vessels of cultural memory, echoing through time and resurfacing in the collective consciousness.