Baksan Valley, Central Caucasus c. 1889

Curator: This striking image is "Baksan Valley, Central Caucasus" by Vittorio Sella. Note the contrasts in the silver gelatin print. Editor: The stark gradation of tones is quite arresting, almost primordial. Curator: Sella was known for his technical mastery and his ability to capture the sublime quality of mountains. His work influenced geographic and scientific communities. Editor: The composition itself creates a visual hierarchy. The massive mountain dominates the frame, but the valley contains subtle details. Curator: Mountains represented the ideal for Romanticism, but Sella was also capturing the scale of the landscape for cartography. Editor: True, but the artistry is unavoidable. The photograph’s light, shadow, and texture create a powerful sense of depth and form. Curator: It is a useful document, and a beautiful one, and thinking about how imagery can represent scientific advancement is useful. Editor: Indeed. It encourages a deeper consideration of what photography can be.