Gezicht op Monte Cristallo bij Cortina d'Ampezzo in de Dolomieten 1916

This photo of Monte Cristallo in the Dolomites, taken by Henri de Rothschild, has this beautiful silvery tone, like a charcoal drawing, with delicate gradations. The textures are subtle, almost whispered. You can see how the snow is rendered, not as a flat white expanse, but with nuanced shadows and variations. It’s like Rothschild is feeling his way through the landscape. Look at the stand of trees on the right, a series of upright lines in contrast to the horizontality of the mountain range behind. It’s this combination of the grand, sweeping vista and the specific, intimate detail, that makes the photograph so compelling. It reminds me of Gerhard Richter's landscapes, that have the same quiet attentiveness. It’s a reminder that art isn’t just about capturing a scene, it's about seeing, really seeing.