Winter Loch, Lake of Walenstadt 1785

Editor: Salomon Gessner’s "Winter Loch, Lake of Walenstadt" is a striking etching. I'm curious about the dense, almost textile-like texture he achieves with just lines. What's your take on this work? Curator: This etching, and others like it, reflect a fascination with the labor involved in image production during the 18th century. Consider the sheer number of lines, each a deliberate mark of labor, used to create this scene. How does Gessner's technique speak to the emerging industrial landscape of his time? Editor: So, it's less about the idealized landscape and more about the act of making the image itself? I never thought of it that way. Curator: Precisely! It challenges the traditional notion of artistic genius, instead highlighting the value of skilled craftsmanship and the process of production. Editor: That shifts my understanding completely. Thanks!