Grimselstrasse, Grimselsee, Räterichbodensee en gebergte Nägelisgrätli , Berner Oberland, Zwitserland c. 1900 - 1920

This photograph of Grimselstrasse, Grimselsee, Räterichbodensee en gebergte Nägelisgrätli in the Swiss Alps, was taken by Gebrüder Wehrli. The grayscale palette gives a timeless feel. It’s amazing how the absence of colour can sometimes intensify the emotional landscape of an image, focusing our attention on form, texture, and light. The photograph has a tactile quality, particularly in the rugged texture of the mountains. Look at the winding road carved into the landscape, a thin line of human intervention against the imposing presence of nature. This mark embodies the tension between our desire to explore and conquer, and the humbling realization of nature's grandeur. The composition reminds me a little of some of Edward Burtynsky’s large-scale landscapes, which similarly capture the impact of industry on the natural world. This piece invites us to reflect on our place in the world, and to embrace the dialogue between seeing and experiencing.