Landscape c. 18th century

Editor: This is "Landscape" by Johann Christian Jacob Friedrich, at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a rather detailed print, with lots of trees and a bridge. How would you interpret this work? Curator: It’s easy to see this as simply a pretty landscape, but let’s consider its historical context. This image likely romanticizes rural life while ignoring the realities of labor and class divisions. It also seems to reinforce a particular power structure, don't you think? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. So, it's more than just a landscape, it's a statement about society? Curator: Exactly! By understanding the social dynamics of the time, we can see how even seemingly innocent landscapes can perpetuate certain ideologies. Editor: Thanks, it definitely gives me a new perspective on art history.