Gezicht op de Matterhorn en Hotel du Riffel c. 1871

Florentin Charnaux created this photograph, titled 'Gezicht op de Matterhorn en Hotel du Riffel', during a transformative period in the perception and representation of nature. The image captures the iconic Matterhorn, a symbol of the sublime and untamed wilderness, alongside the Riffel Hotel, representing human encroachment upon this landscape. In the 19th century, the rise of Romanticism coincided with burgeoning industrialization, creating a complex tension between reverence for nature and its exploitation. As photography emerged as a dominant medium, it was uniquely positioned to both document and aestheticize the natural world. Charnaux's photograph reveals how photography was not merely a neutral recording tool, but a means of shaping our understanding and emotional connection to the landscape. The presence of the hotel in this composition speaks volumes. It serves as a visual marker of accessibility and commodification, subtly altering our perception of the mountain. This photograph invites us to reflect on how our presence impacts the environment, and how our desire for exploration and comfort reshapes our relationship with the natural world.