Teufelsbrücke over de Schöllenenschlucht, bij de Gotthardpas, Zwitserland c. 1900 - 1920

Editor: This photograph, "Teufelsbrücke over de Schöllenenschlucht, bij de Gotthardpas, Zwitserland" by Gebrüder Wehrli, captured sometime between 1900 and 1920, portrays a dramatic mountain landscape with a striking stone bridge. The contrast between the rough, imposing rocks and the man-made structure really stands out. What do you see in this image, particularly when thinking about cultural symbols? Curator: The title itself, "Devil's Bridge," offers a crucial entry point. Bridges often symbolize connection, transition, and overcoming obstacles. But here, associating it with the devil…what could that signify in the cultural memory? Do you see any visual elements that strengthen or question this idea of the devil? Editor: Well, the landscape is pretty severe. Those jagged rocks and the powerful waterfall…maybe that represents nature as an untamed, even threatening, force that the bridge is trying to overcome. Curator: Precisely. And think about the time. Early 20th century. Rapid industrialization. Humanity striving to master nature, imposing its will upon the landscape. The "Devil" might represent the inherent dangers and resistance of the natural world, dangers overcome by engineering and human ambition. Notice the contrast of the dark rocks versus the rushing, foamy river. The black and white hues really accentuate that, don’t they? What emotional response does that trigger for you? Editor: It feels…powerful, a little bit ominous. I hadn't considered the element of control and the ambition behind it. Curator: Indeed. It's not just a pretty landscape, but an emblem of human ambition challenging nature's domain, shrouded in a lasting myth. Editor: This has really changed how I see this picture, going beyond just the visual to consider its symbolic meaning and historical context. Curator: I hope that it will inspire us to consider every picture more deeply. Looking beneath the surface, and engaging the emotional currents.