Trees and Field 19th-20th century

Editor: This is Alexander Shilling's "Trees and Field." It's an etching, and I'm struck by the contrast between the textured trees and the smooth sky. What can you tell me about the materials used and how they affect the image? Curator: Considering the etching process, we see labor translated into a consumable landscape. The acid's bite on the plate, the printer's hand—these actions shape our perception of nature as commodity. How does understanding this process change your initial viewing? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it that way, but it makes me consider the value we place on both the image and the scene it depicts. Thank you! Curator: Indeed. Material analysis reveals layers of meaning beyond just the aesthetic.