Gezicht op de Alpbachfall te Meiringen, Zwitserland 1880 - 1900

This photograph, titled "Gezicht op de Alpbachfall te Meiringen, Zwitserland," was created by Giorgio Sommer, and it captures a view of the Alpbach Falls in Meiringen, Switzerland. Sommer was working at a time when photography was still a relatively new medium, and the collodian process, used here, involved coating a glass plate with chemicals before exposing it in the camera. The resulting negative could then be used to make multiple prints on paper. The tones, textures, and forms captured are all influenced by the precision and detail afforded by the collodion process. The image’s social context is tied to the rise of tourism in the 19th century. Sommer’s work catered to travelers eager to capture the picturesque beauty of the Swiss landscape. Through his skilled craft, he transformed natural scenery into commodities, reflecting the evolving relationship between art, commerce, and the growing tourist industry. Paying attention to materials, making, and context allows us to fully appreciate the artistic achievement and cultural significance of this photograph, challenging conventional notions of art and craft.