Gezicht op Spiez met de Thunersee 1897

This is a photograph by Jean Moeglé, titled 'Gezicht op Spiez met de Thunersee,' capturing a view of Spiez with Lake Thun. Moeglé’s work existed within a broader context of landscape photography that often served to promote tourism and national identity. During this period, Switzerland was solidifying its image as a picturesque destination, marketing its natural beauty to attract visitors. This photograph subtly participates in that narrative, presenting an idyllic scene of Swiss life with its stunning lake and mountains. However, it's also important to consider what is not immediately visible. This serene image elides the labor and social stratification inherent in the tourist industry. How might the local communities have experienced this influx of visitors? Did this affect their cultural identity? The photograph invites us to reflect on the ways in which landscapes are not just neutral spaces but are imbued with complex social and economic histories. It encourages a deeper emotional connection with the places we see, understanding them as spaces of lived experience and cultural exchange.