Valley of Hasli c. 18th century

Editor: This is Salomon Gessner's "Valley of Hasli," a black and white print. The contrast between the heavy mountains and the delicate bridge really strikes me. What can you tell me about this landscape? Curator: Gessner's focus on the etching process itself is revealing. Notice how the labor-intensive mark-making mirrors the toil of inhabitants carving a life from the rugged Swiss landscape. Does this change how you perceive the valley? Editor: That’s fascinating! It makes me think about the real work and resources needed to build the structures within the scene, not just the art itself. Curator: Exactly! By focusing on the material production of both art and environment, we can appreciate how deeply intertwined they are. Editor: I’ll definitely look at landscapes differently now, considering the labor embedded within.