Gezicht op Göschenen met de Gotthardbahn c. 1881s - 1891s

This photograph of Göschenen with the Gotthardbahn, made by Giorgio Sommer, captures a moment in time, but also a shift in material culture. The image itself, created through a meticulous chemical process on a glass plate, preserves a view of a landscape transformed by industrial ambition. Note the stark contrast between the rugged, natural terrain and the precise, man-made structures, a juxtaposition enabled by iron and steel, materials forged in the fires of industrial progress. Look closely at the railway bridge; its construction demanded countless hours of labor, extracting raw materials, transporting, and assembling them with precision. This photograph reflects a broader social context. The Gotthardbahn, a symbol of modernity and connectivity, also represents the exploitation of labor and the reshaping of landscapes to serve economic interests. Sommer’s photograph invites us to consider the human cost behind progress, and the materials and making that have shaped our world.