Gezicht op een chalet in de besneeuwde bergen van Gilbach (Adelboden) c. 1880 - 1900

Editor: This is an undated photograph from between 1880 and 1900 by Nikles, titled "View of a chalet in the snowy mountains of Gilbach (Adelboden)." I'm immediately struck by how the chalet nestles within that vast, snowy landscape. It’s almost as though it’s been carved out of the mountain itself. What draws your eye to this image? Curator: I’m interested in how the photographer presents this building. Note the relationship between the human-made structure and its surrounding environment. The very act of building that chalet involved a transformation of the land, demanding a considerable investment of labor and resources. We're looking at not only a constructed space but also the material implications of that construction. Think of the wood that was harvested and transported, or the stone that had to be quarried. Where did those materials come from? Editor: So, it’s about the labour involved in constructing this idyllic scene, rather than just the view itself? Curator: Precisely. Consider the social context as well. Was this chalet intended as a dwelling, a commercial inn, or something else entirely? What class of people were able to make or visit such places? What does the photograph tell us, and not tell us, about how wealth and status influenced land ownership and its reshaping? What processes were at play in creating this scene? Editor: That makes me see the chalet, and even the mountains around it, in a totally new way. It’s easy to look at this as a pretty scene, but behind it, there are so many layers of work and ownership that went into its creation. Curator: Indeed. Recognizing the networks of production and labor helps us go beyond a simple aesthetic appreciation. Understanding what went into its making gives us access to a more comprehensive and compelling image, in its time, and even our own. Editor: I had not considered the resources required. Now, the photograph invites deeper investigation. Thank you.