Lauffenbourg on the Rhine c. 19th century

Editor: This is "Lauffenbourg on the Rhine" by Thomas Hodgetts. It's a sepia-toned print, and I'm struck by how it romanticizes this little town, almost like a fairy tale. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Consider the rise of tourism in the 19th century. Prints like these played a crucial role in shaping perceptions. How does this image perhaps promote an idealized, picturesque view of a place? Editor: I see what you mean. It presents a very peaceful, almost storybook version of Lauffenbourg. It makes you wonder what the real place was like. Curator: Precisely. And what role did Hodgetts, as the artist, play in shaping that narrative for a potentially eager, paying public? This piece makes you think about the power of imagery. Editor: Absolutely! It really highlights how art can influence our view of the world and its locations.