Gezicht op de Gorges du Trient bij Vernayaz in Zwitserland met een man op een brug c. 1880 - 1920

This photograph by Francis Frith captures the Gorges du Trient in Switzerland, presenting a dramatic scene dominated by verticality and stark contrasts. The composition is structured around the deep gorge, with towering rock faces framing a distant sliver of sky. The monochromatic tones emphasize the rough texture of the rocks and the smooth flow of the river below. Frith uses the bridge as a visual bridge, both literally and figuratively, to invite the viewer into the composition. The figure on the bridge serves as a focal point, but also as a structural element that measures the vastness of nature. The play of light and shadow creates depth and enhances the sense of scale, highlighting the sublime power of the natural landscape. Frith challenges traditional landscape photography by focusing on the geological forces that shape the environment. This photograph moves beyond mere representation, prompting contemplation on the relationship between humanity and the natural world.