Ingang van de Gotthardtunnel tijdens de aanleg aan de kant van Airolo before 1889

This anonymous photograph captures the entrance of the Gotthard Tunnel during its construction near Airolo. The monochromatic palette gives a stark, industrial feel, emphasizing the geometric composition and the play of light and shadow. The image presents a study in contrasts: the rough-hewn, organic textures of the surrounding rock face against the precise, man-made construction of the tunnel entrance. This juxtaposition highlights the tension between nature and industrial progress. The tunnel's circular opening is framed by jagged rock, which suggests a semiotic interplay where the circle represents human innovation, and the rough stone signifies natural resistance. The upward-sloping angle destabilizes the viewer’s perspective, positioning the viewer in a low angle. This compositional choice magnifies the tunnel's scale, perhaps symbolizing the ambitious engineering and transformative impact of the project on space and perception. The photograph, therefore, operates beyond mere documentation; it engages with broader philosophical questions regarding humanity’s relentless reshaping of the natural world.