Besneeuwde bergtop before 1891

This photograph, “Besneeuwde bergtop,” or “Snowy Mountain Top,” was made by M.P. du Montal sometime in the 19th century. It's a silver gelatin print, a process that relies on the light sensitivity of silver halides. A glass plate coated with a silver halide emulsion captures the image, and through a series of chemical baths, the latent image is developed and fixed, resulting in a finely detailed monochrome print. This process allowed for a high level of precision and tonal range, crucial for capturing the stark contrasts of the mountain landscape. Photography was revolutionary, yet it relied on skilled labor. The preparation of the plates, the careful timing of exposure, and the precise execution of the developing process all demanded expertise. Photography changed landscape painting forever. Du Montal's image, in its sharp realism, shows the power of new materials and techniques to shift artistic vision.