Mont Blanc c. 1880s

Editor: Here we have Francis Frith’s "Mont Blanc," a vintage photograph. It evokes such a feeling of stark isolation to me. What do you see in this landscape? Curator: I'm drawn to the almost otherworldly quality. It makes me think about how photographs like this shaped perceptions of the sublime, of nature's raw power and our relationship to it, don't you think? Frith captures not just a mountain, but an idea. Editor: An idea, yes! The small structure at the bottom adds a layer of humanity against that grand backdrop. Curator: Precisely! A tiny foothold against immensity. It makes you ponder the scale, doesn’t it? Both physical and emotional. Editor: It certainly does! Thank you, that was enlightening. Curator: My pleasure! It's always rewarding to find new ways to look at the familiar.