Gesellschaft von Damen und Herren in einem Park 

Editor: This drawing, "Gesellschaft von Damen und Herren in einem Park," meaning "Society of Ladies and Gentlemen in a Park" by Gottlieb Welté uses red chalk, pencil and pastel. It strikes me as portraying a candid moment of leisure. What is your interpretation of this scene? Curator: What I find particularly fascinating is how Welté positions this seemingly private gathering within a public space. Consider the social context of the time. Parks, especially in the 18th century, were meticulously designed landscapes intended for controlled social interaction. What power dynamics are being depicted here, intentionally or not? Editor: So, the park itself is almost a stage? Are you saying it's less about escaping nature and more about performing a role within a constructed environment? Curator: Precisely. The Rococo style emphasizes artifice and elegance. Look at the attire; it's designed to impress. Who is being excluded from this staged intimacy and who has the ability to visit the park, shaping how certain individuals consume the experience of this gathering? Editor: That's a great point, considering how landscapes are now interpreted. I was just enjoying the beautiful representation and line work, but it’s interesting how much the location actually contributes to the message. Curator: It goes beyond mere enjoyment of scenery. Welté invites us to examine the park as a carefully managed public sphere, which reflected the power dynamics and the class distinctions embedded in the landscape of 18th-century society. Editor: This has given me a whole new perspective on what’s considered as belonging, thank you. Curator: And thank you. Art is often shaped and altered according to what each person sees.