Landscape c. 19th century

Editor: This is Auguste Delâtre's "Landscape." It’s an etching, and the heavy use of lines creates a somber mood. What strikes you about it? Curator: The etching process itself is key. Think about the copper plate, the acid, the labor involved. Delâtre was renowned for his printing skills; this wasn’t just about artistic vision, but the mastery of a demanding, industrial-adjacent craft. How does this affect our understanding of "landscape"? Editor: It makes me consider the artist’s role less as a romantic observer, and more as a craftsman engaging with a complex process to recreate the scene. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It shifts the focus from mere representation to the material conditions of artistic production.