Gezicht op Mount Sir Donald before 1897

This is an image of Mount Sir Donald from a book by Walter Dwight Wilcox. Wilcox was an American surveyor and mountaineer known for exploring and documenting the Canadian Rockies. In this monochromatic image, the mountain is a formidable presence, its craggy peaks and steep slopes filling the frame. As an American capturing the Canadian landscape, Wilcox's work speaks to the complex history of border relations and national identity. This image, and others like it, helped shape perceptions and draw tourism to the region. Yet, it's important to acknowledge that this romanticized vision often overshadowed the experiences and rights of Indigenous peoples, who have a deep and enduring connection to these lands. Wilcox’s photograph encourages us to reflect on how landscape photography, while seemingly objective, is always influenced by cultural perspectives and power dynamics. Consider the layers of meaning embedded in this image: national identity, environmental impact, and the complex relationship between humans and nature.