Vittorio Sella Photographs
Title
Vittorio Sella Photographs
Creator
Sella, Vittorio, 1859-1943, photographer
Date
1880-1958 (bulk 1880-1909)
Description
The Italian photographer and mountaineer Vittorio Sella (1859–1943) was one of the first photographers to merge primarily documentary mountaineering photography with aesthetics borrowed from landscape painting. His work shows both exquisite detail and an enormous understanding of mood and composition. While he did not see his photographic work as art, he was trained in painting and exhibited two pieces in 1882. Sella understood that his primary audience would be climbers, and his pictures offer clear, almost topographic views of climbing routes.
The Vittorio Sella Photographs comprise 187 items by Vittorio Sella and two items by unidentified photographers. Most of the images were taken between 1880 and 1909, when Sella participated in expeditions in the Alps (1879-1896), the Caucasus (1889, 1890, and 1896), Alaska (1897), Sikkim and Nepal (1899), the Ruwenzori (1906), and the Karakoram (1909).
The collection is arranged by size and by geographic and chronological divisions established by Sella. All but two of the photographs are identified with item numbers which correspond to a finding aid created in 2010.
For most items, the title was taken from a typewritten label in English affixed to the verso by American Alpine Club general secretary and librarian LeRoy Jeffers.
The Vittorio Sella Photographs comprise 187 items by Vittorio Sella and two items by unidentified photographers. Most of the images were taken between 1880 and 1909, when Sella participated in expeditions in the Alps (1879-1896), the Caucasus (1889, 1890, and 1896), Alaska (1897), Sikkim and Nepal (1899), the Ruwenzori (1906), and the Karakoram (1909).
The collection is arranged by size and by geographic and chronological divisions established by Sella. All but two of the photographs are identified with item numbers which correspond to a finding aid created in 2010.
For most items, the title was taken from a typewritten label in English affixed to the verso by American Alpine Club general secretary and librarian LeRoy Jeffers.
Collection Items
Telephoto of the summit of Siniolchun as seen from Zemu Glacier, Sikkim
Positive 1/5048, negative SK55. Title taken from adhesive label on verso.
K2. Southern ridge of Staircase Peak
Negative KR194. Title taken from adhesive label on verso.
Great Aletsch Glacier and Märjelen See
Positive 1/1582, negative AL191.
Schreckhorn, Strahlegg, etc. from summit of Finsteraarhorn
Positive 1/1614.
Unteraar-Gletsche, Galenstock, etc. from summit of Finsteraarhorn
Positive 1/1615.
Oeschinen See and Blumisalphorn
Positive 1/1644.
Collection Tree
- Vittorio Sella Photographs