Mt. Pelvoux and Ecrins from Near the Summit of Grand Ruine, Dauphiny c. 1885

Editor: Vittorio Sella's "Mt. Pelvoux and Ecrins" shows a stark mountain range, rendered in shades of gray. It evokes a sense of the sublime, of nature’s overwhelming power. What social or historical narrative is embedded in this seemingly straightforward landscape photograph? Curator: This image speaks to a complex relationship between humans and the environment. Consider the historical context: during Sella's time, mountain photography was closely linked to exploration, colonialism, and scientific pursuits. How might this image reflect or challenge those power dynamics? Editor: So, it's not just a pretty picture, but a document tied to specific ideologies and the exploitation of natural resources? Curator: Precisely. It prompts us to consider who had access to these landscapes, and whose stories were excluded from the narrative of exploration and conquest. What does this vista conceal? Editor: That reframes everything. I’m now thinking about the indigenous populations, their displacement, and the environmental impact of these expeditions. Curator: Exactly. This photograph becomes a reminder of the social and political forces shaping our understanding of the natural world. Editor: Thanks, I’ll never look at a landscape the same way again. Curator: Nor will I.