Gezicht op Mount Lefroy before 1897

Walter Dwight Wilcox created this photogravure titled, "Gezicht op Mount Lefroy." Wilcox, born in 1869, was part of a generation that saw photography as a tool for exploration and documentation. His images often depict the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies, reflecting a romantic vision of untamed wilderness. It's important to consider how these images also participated in shaping perceptions of the land, often overshadowing the presence and history of indigenous communities. Photography like this not only documented the landscape, but also helped create a narrative of the frontier, influencing settlement and tourism. The image itself, with its stark contrasts and dramatic composition, evokes a sense of awe, but it also prompts us to consider the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. It reminds us to reflect on the stories we tell ourselves about the land and who is included, or excluded, from those stories.