Gezicht op het dorp Cortina d'Ampezzo in de Dolomieten 1916

Curator: Henri de Rothschild created this gelatin silver print in 1916, a cityscape titled “Gezicht op het dorp Cortina d'Ampezzo in de Dolomieten.” It captures a tranquil view of the town nestled in the Dolomites. Editor: The mountains dominate. They create a strong, almost protective presence over the small village. The muted tones lend a somber, yet serene feeling. Curator: This photographic artwork fits into a larger discussion of how early photography helped to shape perceptions of the natural world, becoming crucial in popularizing locations like Cortina d’Ampezzo as desirable tourist destinations, although of course access was very unevenly distributed. Editor: The steeple in the distance immediately catches the eye, doesn't it? Towers tend to signal not just a physical high point but aspiration, even reverence for what's beyond daily life. That’s an age-old symbol. Curator: Exactly. By placing that steeple, Rothschild anchors the spiritual dimension to the image's message and he acknowledges the town's importance within this landscape, highlighting the harmonious blend of civilization and nature. But also he’s engaging with what others might perceive as icons. Editor: Yes, you get a distinct feeling that the architecture imitates and echoes the mountain’s solid geometry. There is cultural respect embedded here in its imagery of continuity. Curator: Although Rothschild presents a peaceful image, remember this photograph was created during a turbulent period in history. Perhaps it reflects a longing for stability and a romantic ideal of pastoral life, even as that way of life was fast disappearing due to wider sociopolitical pressures. Editor: That's a fascinating observation. Despite the physical grandeur represented, there’s a human scale maintained through its presentation. Curator: The beauty of a gelatin silver print like this is that it allowed for widespread reproduction. So an image of a small village becomes an object capable of spreading big ideas, ideas of cultural identity and perhaps idealized nationalism in a fragmented world. Editor: Looking at the repeating angular shapes brings a calm sense of the inevitable passage of life, generation by generation. Thanks to Henri de Rothschild, the mountains still stand guard over us.