Gezicht op de Saskatchewan before 1897

Walter Dwight Wilcox captured this landscape, "Gezicht op de Saskatchewan," using photography. Here, we observe the mountain, a symbol of both physical and spiritual ascent. The mountain, as a motif, appears across cultures and eras. Consider the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia or the pyramids of Egypt; each mirrors humanity's yearning to connect with the divine, to reach higher planes of existence. Mountains are places of revelation, where Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. The psychological impact of such a geological formation evokes a deep, subconscious awe. Its imposing presence triggers a recognition of nature’s sublime power, which contrasts with human existence, dwarfed by the natural world. This enduring symbol transcends time, reappearing in various forms, illustrating our perpetual quest for understanding the sublime.