Striations opposite the Grimsel before 1866

This photograph of striations opposite the Grimsel was made by Ernest Edwards, and it was included in a book called "Sun Pictures of Rocky Mountain Scenery." The photograph documents the rocky landscape, marked by the passage of glaciers. Edwards' photograph not only captures a geological phenomenon but also participates in a broader 19th-century scientific movement of cataloging and understanding the natural world. It reflects the growing interest in geology and the processes that have shaped the Earth. Photography at this time was emerging as a powerful tool for documentation, and Edwards, like other photographers, was using the medium to explore the intersection of science and art. Understanding the social and intellectual context of the 19th century, with its emphasis on empirical observation and scientific inquiry, enriches our understanding of this image. Resources in geological societies and photographic archives can shed light on the image's meaning.