Gezicht op de Gornerschlucht te Zermatt 1897

This black and white photograph, entitled "Gezicht op de Gornerschlucht te Zermatt" depicts a view of the Gornerschlucht gorge in Zermatt, Switzerland, was made by an anonymous artist. This image captures the sublime, demonstrating human intervention amidst the grandeur of the natural world. The bridge, a stark man-made structure, cuts horizontally across the image, offering a pathway for exploration and perhaps exploitation. However, it also highlights the complex relationship between humanity and nature, as the bridge allows for appreciation but also facilitates potential environmental impact. There is something deeply emotional in the contrasts of dark and light here, where a path seems carved into the side of the mountain itself. Ultimately, this photograph serves as a poignant reminder of our presence and the ways we shape, and are shaped by, our environment. What histories are written into this landscape?