Mitre Peak, Karakoram, Himalaya c. 1909

Curator: Vittorio Sella's photograph, "Mitre Peak, Karakoram, Himalaya," captivates with its stark beauty. Editor: It's imposing! That sheer scale, the monochrome palette—it evokes a sense of sublime, almost fearful, respect. Curator: Sella was renowned for his meticulous platinum printing process. That's key to the tonal range and the way the paper itself becomes part of the image. Editor: Absolutely. And thinking about the colonial gaze inherent in these kinds of expeditions, how do we reconcile our appreciation of the craft with its historical implications? Whose stories are left out? Curator: Precisely the crucial questions we must ask. Perhaps looking closer at the very materiality as bearing evidence of the physical hardship in carrying equipment might speak to this. Editor: It’s essential to consider these images within the broader historical context of exploration and representation. Curator: Indeed, grappling with these complexities enriches our experience. Editor: It certainly compels us to look beyond the surface, toward the narratives that shape our understanding.