Waterfall Above Tivoli, from Malerisch radirte Prospecte aus Italien 1792

Editor: So, this is Albert Christoph Dies’ “Waterfall Above Tivoli, from Malerisch radierte Prospecte aus Italien,” printed in 1792. It's an etching on paper, depicting just that – a waterfall cascading down a rocky hillside. It strikes me as quite serene, but there's also a bit of drama with that powerful water flow. What do you make of it? Curator: Ah, yes, Tivoli! Imagine standing there, a mist kissing your face, the roar in your ears...Dies has captured more than just a pretty picture, hasn't he? It’s a visual poem about nature's grandeur. The cascading water seems almost alive, writhing like a mythical beast, while the little houses perched above give a gentle sense of human existence against nature's sublime force. Do you see how the light catches the different textures – the foamy water, the solid rock, the leafy trees? Editor: I do! It's almost like a contrast between something wild and powerful and a certain grounded calmness that the surrounding landscape gives. Curator: Exactly. And consider the period – late 18th century. The Romantics were obsessed with the sublime, that overwhelming feeling of awe and terror in the face of nature. Did Dies get you to sense that awe? Editor: Definitely. You know, initially, I saw serenity, but now I can appreciate how it stirs up both peace and something almost unsettling at the same time. Curator: That’s the genius of it. Dies wasn't just recording a view; he was inviting us to experience it. Makes you want to pack your bags, doesn't it? Editor: It does! It definitely puts things into a refreshing perspective, now that you mention the historical context of sublime landscapes. Thanks for that! Curator: My pleasure! These old landscapes have a lot to teach us about ourselves. Maybe we can find one with a tavern in the next visit...