Gezicht op een tandradtrein tussen Rigi Kulm en Vitznau, Zwitserland

Giorgio Sommer created this photograph of a cogwheel train between Rigi Kulm and Vitznau, Switzerland. It provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the intersection of technological advancement and the changing landscape in the 19th century. Sommer, who catered to the burgeoning tourist industry, captures more than just a train; he presents a symbol of modernity's reach into even the most remote natural settings. In doing so, it brings up questions about access, privilege, and the transformation of leisure. The image invites us to consider how technologies, such as this railway, altered both physical spaces and social experiences. It reflects a time of great optimism about progress, yet hints at the environmental and social costs of these advancements. What does it mean to engineer nature for leisure? This photograph prompts us to reflect on our own relationship with progress and its impact on the world around us.