Gezicht op berghotel Schwarenbach aan de Gemmipas 1876 - 1889

This photograph, "Gezicht op berghotel Schwarenbach aan de Gemmipas," by Arthur Gabler, invites us to consider the convergence of landscape, labor, and leisure. The albumen print, a popular photographic process of the 19th century, was created by coating paper with a layer of egg white and then a light-sensitive silver solution. The resulting image, sepia-toned and rich in detail, captures the rugged beauty of the Swiss Alps. This photograph would have involved a skilled photographer, darkroom technicians, and a robust distribution network. What's particularly compelling is how the image itself reflects the human endeavor to tame the landscape, the hotel perched precariously on the mountainside. It is a testament to human ingenuity and the burgeoning tourist industry. Paying close attention to materials and making allows us to appreciate the many layers of meaning embedded in the work, and question the value of art and craft.