Mt. Paiju from the Lower Baltoro Glacier, Karakoram c. 1909

Curator: Vittorio Sella’s photographic print, "Mt. Paiju from the Lower Baltoro Glacier, Karakoram," held here at the Harvard Art Museums, is an image of stark grandeur. Editor: Breathtaking! The textures in this monochrome landscape feel almost tactile. You can practically feel the biting wind and see the snow swirl. Curator: Absolutely. Sella masterfully captures the dramatic contrasts between the sharply defined mountain peaks and the rugged glacier below. It's a study in form. Editor: It's more than form; it's about scale, isn't it? Feeling dwarfed by the sublime indifference of nature... makes you wonder about our place in the world. Curator: Indeed. The composition, with its emphasis on verticality, reinforces the mountain's imposing presence. It really exemplifies the romantic ideal. Editor: Makes you think about the stories those mountains hold. And how ephemeral our own stories really are. Curator: It's a powerful image that offers insight into the scale of nature. Editor: Exactly, it really is humbling.