Sass Maor c. 1880

Curator: Vittorio Sella's "Sass Maor" captures the formidable Italian Dolomites. The print, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents a stark, compelling landscape. Editor: The composition is arresting, isn't it? The monolithic rock formations command the frame, shrouded partially in ethereal clouds. The tonality evokes a sense of sublime isolation. Curator: Sella was deeply involved with mountain exploration, and it's crucial to understand his work within the history of alpinism and the late 19th-century fascination with conquering nature. His images were used to map these regions, and promote tourism. Editor: Precisely, and the monochromatic palette emphasizes the raw texture of the stone and the atmospheric haze. The interplay of light and shadow creates a striking formal contrast. Curator: Absolutely. Sella's legacy extends beyond aesthetics; he shaped the visual perception of mountain environments and landscapes as commodities. Editor: It’s a stunning photograph. I keep returning to that cloud, that single breath amongst the stone. Curator: A testament to how images can reflect, and construct, our relationship with the natural world.