Ah Dieu ! Que La Terre Est Jolie

Abstract

In “Ah God! How Beautiful the Earth Is,” Richard Conte examines contemporary landscape photography through a comparative analysis of the works of Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Sophie Ristelhueber. The article argues that photographic images are not neutral reproductions of reality but visual constructions shaped by perspective, framing, scale, and technological mediation. Arthus-Bertrand’s aerial photographs present an aestheticized and global vision of the planet, encouraging a universal and humanistic reading of environmental issues. In contrast, Ristelhueber’s work emphasizes fragmentation, traces of war, historical scars, and the ambiguity of perception, inviting viewers to question the visible rather than merely contemplate it. Drawing on Édouard Glissant’s concept of mondialité, the author distinguishes between globalization as a homogenizing vision and worldliness as an appreciation of diversity, locality, and unpredictability. Ultimately, the article highlights photography’s critical role in shaping cultural, political, and philosophical understandings of landscape and the contemporary world.