Monument voor Jacques Balmat en Horace-Bénédict de Saussure te Chamonix before 1905

This is a reproduction of the Monument to Jacques Balmat and Horace-Bénédict de Saussure in Chamonix. Though we don't know precisely when it was made by the Frères Jullieu, it captures a moment of national pride and scientific endeavor. The image commemorates the first ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786, achieved by Balmat, a local chamois hunter, and Saussure, a Genevan scientist who had offered a reward for finding a route to the summit. This monument, and the image itself, speaks to the late 19th century's fascination with exploration and the heroic individual. The pointing figure embodies the spirit of discovery, while Saussure represents scientific ambition. Consider the institutional context. Mountaineering, then as now, was inflected with class distinctions; it was only with local guides that gentleman scientists could achieve their goals. To fully understand this image, we need to delve into archives and historical accounts to uncover the complex social dynamics at play in the golden age of Alpine exploration. In doing so, we can understand how cultural institutions and scientific endeavors helped to shape national identity in late 19th century Europe.