Mensen in een grot op de Grindelwaldgletscher in Zwitserland c. 1876s

Arthur Gabler made this photograph of people in a cave on the Grindelwald Glacier in Switzerland. This image speaks volumes about the evolving relationship between humans and the natural world. In the late 19th century, Switzerland emerged as a hub for alpine tourism. The growth of infrastructure, such as railways and mountain resorts, transformed the landscape and the experience of it. Photography played a crucial role in promoting this new vision of the Alps, turning remote landscapes into accessible destinations. The Grindelwald Glacier, once a symbol of untamed nature, became a spectacle for tourists seeking adventure and novelty. Images like this one capture the cultural and institutional forces that shaped the perception and commodification of nature. To truly understand this photograph, we need to delve into historical archives, travelogues, and scientific reports from the era. Only then can we fully grasp the complex interplay between tourism, photography, and the changing landscape of the Swiss Alps.