Gezicht op de Wetterhorn before 1868

This photograph, "Gezicht op de Wetterhorn," likely taken in the 19th century, captures a Swiss landscape by Stephen Thompson. It reminds us of the Romantic era's fascination with sublime nature. However, beyond the picturesque, it's crucial to consider the social context. The Wetterhorn, a mountain in the Swiss Alps, was a popular destination for wealthy tourists in the 1800s. Photography, still relatively new, played a key role in shaping and disseminating images of these exotic locales. What was the institution of travel like at the time? What were the social dynamics between the tourists and the local population? How did this affect the local economy? By researching travel guides, hotel registries, and other period documents, we can better understand how this image participated in shaping the cultural landscape of its time. This photograph isn't just a pretty picture; it's a historical document, reflecting a specific moment in the history of tourism, technology, and social class.