Rocks c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have "Rocks," an etching by Eugène Stanislas Alexandre Bléry. Bléry, who lived from 1805 to 1887, was a master of landscapes in print. Editor: It feels so still, almost dreamlike. The stark blacks and whites make it seem like time is standing still in this hidden, rocky place. Curator: His works capture the growing 19th-century interest in the natural world and offered a visual escape for urban populations. Editor: You can almost feel the cool, damp air. I like how the light catches the edges of the rocks and trees, creating this amazing contrast. Curator: Bléry's technique of layering lines to create depth was revolutionary for the time and was influential among his contemporaries. Editor: I’m imagining myself sitting on one of those rocks, lost in thought. There’s something really soothing and contemplative about it. Curator: Indeed, Bléry invites us to reconsider the relationship between humanity and nature through the lens of quiet observation. Editor: A simple scene, yet it speaks volumes. Nature’s grandeur is captured in a very intimate way.