Striations beside the unter Grindelwald glacier before 1866

Ernest Edwards captured "Striations beside the unter Grindelwald glacier" with a Woodburytype, in a period defined by scientific exploration and romantic fascination with nature. Edwards, working within the conventions of his time, presents the glacier as an object of study, yet we can consider how this image also reflects the complex relationship between humans and the environment. The striations, marks left by the glacier's movement, are both a testament to natural processes and a reminder of the passage of time. They speak to the slow, inexorable power of nature shaping the landscape. As a scientific document, Edwards's photograph is framed by the desire to understand and categorize the natural world, which raises questions about human impact. Looking at the photograph today, we might reflect on the impact of climate change on these glacial landscapes and our responsibility towards them.