Berglandschap met de spoorweg van Interlaken naar Lauterbrunnen before 1899

This photograph, taken by Schroeder & Cie, captures the railway from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen. The imposing mountain evokes the sublime, a concept deeply rooted in Romanticism. Mountains have long symbolized spiritual challenges and transcendence across cultures. Think of Mount Olympus, home to the Greek gods, or Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. These peaks are more than geographical features; they are potent symbols. The railway, a modern marvel, cuts through this natural grandeur. Here we see the dance between nature and technology. In a way, the railroad is a modern-day echo of ancient paths to enlightenment, suggesting a journey—not just across land, but perhaps towards a new understanding. This symbolic juxtaposition evokes a powerful, almost subconscious response, engaging our primal fascination with both the monumental and the innovative. The mountain remains a silent witness, its symbolic power undiminished through time.