The Lake of Geneva c. 19th century

Editor: So, here we have Edward Goodall's "The Lake of Geneva". It's a small print, almost like a vignette, featuring a boat and distant mountains. I am curious about what's happening here, what do you see in this piece? Curator: I see the print as a product of its time, reflecting the rise of leisure travel and the commodification of landscape. The labor involved in creating and distributing such images allowed a wider audience to consume picturesque views of Geneva. Editor: Interesting! It's not just a pretty picture, then? Curator: Not at all! Consider how the printmaking process itself transforms the actual experience of the lake. It’s reduced, packaged, and sold. A question to ponder, is this a faithful record of Geneva or a product of manufacturing processes? Editor: That’s a very different way of looking at it; it's about the business of art too! Curator: Precisely!