Bos 1889

Max Asperger produced this etching of a forest scene, entitled 'Bos', sometime around the turn of the 20th century. The image presents a seemingly untouched woodland. But, of course, in late 19th-century Europe, such visions of nature were always culturally mediated. Asperger was working in Austria, a society undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization. His work captures the yearning for a simpler, more natural past, one increasingly distant for many Austrians. The dense, almost claustrophobic composition hints at the way the natural world was becoming increasingly hemmed in by human development. To truly understand this print, it would be useful to research the history of forestry practices in Austria and the cultural significance of the forest in Austrian folklore and national identity. Understanding the socio-economic context in which it was made helps us understand how Asperger’s 'Bos' reflected and shaped contemporary attitudes towards nature and progress.