Landscape c. 18th century

Editor: So, this is "Landscape" by Joseph Wagner, from the 18th century, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a print, and I’m struck by how the figures seem so small compared to the dominating landscape. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a romanticized vision of nature, but also a subtle commentary on social hierarchy. The pastoral scene with shepherds is a common trope, but notice how the people are dwarfed. Wagner might be suggesting the limitations of human agency against the backdrop of vast social and political structures. How does this resonate with you? Editor: That's a fascinating perspective. I hadn't considered the social commentary aspect. It makes me think about power dynamics in a whole new way. Curator: Exactly! Art invites us to question and connect historical contexts to contemporary concerns. Editor: Thanks, I will definitely keep this in mind moving forward.