Berglandschap met hutten nabij Zinal before 1900

Editor: Here we have two photographs by J. Bouvier, titled “Berglandschap met hutten nabij Zinal”, taken before 1900. They're prints showing landscapes of the Swiss Alps, almost Pictorialist in their softness. I find myself drawn to the contrast between the tiny human dwellings and the imposing scale of the mountains. What historical narratives do you think these images capture? Curator: It's fascinating how these landscapes were deployed at the turn of the century, wasn't it? Photography, especially through pictorialism, often aimed to elevate itself to the status of fine art. Bouvier presents Zinal not just as a place, but as an idealized version of rural Switzerland. Consider the audience: Were these images intended for local consumption or to promote tourism to a wider, urbanized population? And how do these images reinforce or challenge prevailing narratives of Swiss identity and national pride? Editor: That makes me think about the potential for romanticizing rural life. Is there a risk of overlooking the everyday struggles of people living in these areas? Curator: Precisely. While visually appealing, these images are carefully constructed. Who gets to define what is considered a beautiful or worthy landscape? What values are embedded in these choices? Bouvier's aesthetic choices were surely shaped by, and in turn helped shape, public perception and even policy around land use and tourism. How might viewing these through a contemporary lens change our perception of environmental conservation? Editor: I never thought about it that way – how landscape photography could have a political angle. I will think twice the next time I go into nature, remembering these beautiful photos of Zinal! Curator: Exactly, and it underscores the importance of questioning how seemingly neutral depictions of landscape are in fact, never that simple. They actively play a role in society's values.