Gezicht op rotsformaties nabij de Rigi, Zwitserland before 1868

Editor: Here we see "Gezicht op rotsformaties nabij de Rigi, Zwitserland," a photograph by Louis Ghémar from before 1868. It looks like a gelatin-silver print, showcasing a jumble of rocks. It has an intense, almost claustrophobic feel. What symbols do you recognize within these stark rock formations? Curator: The rocks themselves are primary symbols. Think about their age, their permanence, their association with the earth. Cultures across time have seen rocks as representations of steadfastness, endurance, and even spiritual power. Do you see any other symbolic suggestion, like an anthropomorphic shape perhaps? Editor: Now that you mention it, a specific rock formation looks a little like a giant animal resting, or perhaps an ancient guardian, which leads me to wonder if there's a psychological impact embedded in the scale. Curator: Indeed. Scale manipulates emotional response. The contrast between the small-scale depiction within the photographic print versus the imposing reality of these Swiss rocks could reflect a tension between human understanding and the immensity of nature. How do you think Ghémar wanted people to react to these images? Editor: Maybe Ghémar wanted people to feel small, reminding them of nature’s indomitable presence? Or perhaps there’s a subtle invitation to explore these spaces? Curator: Precisely! Think, too, about the print existing within a book – the pairing of image and text suggests a deeper cultural memory, where travel, exploration, and knowledge intertwine. This book object containing photographic prints situates Ghémar's photographs not as simple depictions, but part of a wider historical dialogue around place and meaning. Editor: This gives me a much richer understanding – I’m seeing beyond the simple landscape to an older tradition. I’ll definitely view photography and landscape with new eyes!