Dal van de Steinbach bij de weg naar de Hexentanzplatz 1868 - 1890

Editor: Here we have Hermann Selle’s photograph "Dal van de Steinbach bij de weg naar de Hexentanzplatz", taken sometime between 1868 and 1890. I’m really drawn to the almost theatrical way the rocks are presented; they look like towering stage props. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, considering the period, it's vital to examine how this image functions within the growing culture of tourism and the construction of national identity in Germany. The "Hexentanzplatz," or witches' dance floor, suggests a pre-Christian, perhaps even pagan, history projected onto the landscape. This photograph doesn't simply depict a natural scene; it frames a location laden with myth and folklore, contributing to the romanticized vision of the German countryside. How might its stereoscopic format influence our engagement with this kind of nationalistic imagery? Editor: That's fascinating, the nationalistic component hadn’t occurred to me! The 3D element must have really heightened the feeling of being *there*. Curator: Exactly! Think about how easily photography disseminated such imagery to a broad public. Images like this helped forge a collective imagination of the nation’s geographical and mythical boundaries. The “picturesque” framing of nature serves specific cultural work. The Harz mountains, rich in folklore, were purposefully transformed into potent symbols. What do you think it communicates about Germany's self image at the time? Editor: I suppose this kind of staged presentation, as I originally interpreted it, creates a romantic, epic historical backdrop. Now, that makes me consider how carefully these photographers curated that image for public consumption. Curator: Precisely. These photographs weren't just neutral recordings; they were active participants in shaping cultural narratives and solidifying ideas about German heritage and national identity. This awareness profoundly changes how we see it, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely, I’ll definitely be more mindful of how socio-political agendas influence landscape photography moving forward.