Gezicht op een brug in de Gotthardpas before 1868

This mounted albumen print, titled 'Gezicht op een brug in de Gotthardpas,' captures a bridge in the Gotthard Pass. The sepia tones lend a timeless quality, emphasizing form and structure over fleeting color. The artist uses the arch of the bridge as a central motif. Its robust, semi-circular shape contrasts against the jagged, natural forms of the surrounding landscape. This juxtaposition raises a question of the relationship between human engineering and nature's design. In semiotic terms, the bridge signifies connection and transition. It mediates between two points, becoming a sign of progress. Meanwhile, the subdued tones and stark composition evoke a sense of isolation and the sublime. The print challenges us to consider how we impose order upon nature and the cultural significance we assign to such structures.