Die Diavolezzahütte mit Pizzi di Palü u. Bellavista, The Engadine 1921

Curator: This photograph, "Die Diavolezzahütte mit Pizzi di Palü u. Bellavista, The Engadine" by A. G. Wehrli, presents a stark alpine scene. The Harvard Art Museums hold this print, part of a larger body of work documenting the Swiss landscape. Editor: There’s something haunting about this image. The small hut against the immensity of the mountains dwarfs human presence. It speaks to the precariousness and perhaps even the loneliness of existing within such a landscape. Curator: Precisely. The material conditions of alpine photography were demanding. The photographer's choice of vantage point and printing process would necessitate considerable planning, physical endurance, and investment in equipment, which reflects a specific engagement with nature. Editor: This image also intersects with colonial narratives about conquering nature. The lone figure emphasizes a romanticized view of human dominance, obscuring the labor of indigenous communities who are often excluded from these representations. Curator: Indeed, it's easy to overlook the socio-economic context shaping the visual narrative. It leaves one wondering about the accessibility and potential exploitation embedded in such picturesque depictions. Editor: Looking at the image now, I see it with new eyes. It represents both beauty and a complex layering of social narratives.