Mt. Hood and the Dalles, Columbia River 1867

This albumen silver print captures Mt. Hood and the Dalles of the Columbia River. Note how the mountain, though distant, looms large, a silent sentinel overseeing the landscape. Mountains have always been potent symbols, haven't they? Consider the ancient Greeks and their Mount Olympus, the abode of gods. Mountains represented not just physical height, but spiritual elevation, a connection to the divine. Even in early Christianity, mountains appear as sites of revelation and transformation. Think of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, or the Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor. Here, the mountain remains an emotionally charged symbol, resonating with our collective unconscious. It is a place of primal forces, challenging us to confront our own insignificance. The mountain's shadow, cast across the river and the landscape, is symbolic of its enduring presence, reminding us of nature's power. The visual weight of Mt. Hood speaks to the cyclical nature of symbols and iconography. It has been reshaped and reinterpreted, yet its essence persists, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level.