Virginia City 1875

This photograph of Virginia City was captured by Carleton Watkins using the wet plate collodion process. Note how the imposing mountains loom in the background, cradling the fragile human settlement nestled within the valley. Mountains have always served as potent symbols, representing permanence and the sublime in art. They’re not merely geographical features, but also evoke a sense of awe, strength, and even spiritual transcendence. Think of the numerous Romantic landscape paintings where mountains dwarf human figures, reminding us of nature's overwhelming power. This symbolism has deep roots, harking back to ancient mythologies where mountains were seen as the abodes of gods, echoing in modern interpretations as symbols of personal and spiritual challenges. Watkins’s photograph taps into this collective subconscious, engaging viewers on an emotional level and hinting at the eternal struggle between human ambition and nature's enduring presence. The cyclical progression of this symbol will continue to resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.