View of Gerace c. 18th century

Curator: Jacques Couché, an artist active in the late 18th century, created this print entitled "View of Gerace." It’s held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s a study in contrasts, isn't it? The rugged, fractured landscape against the delicate etching. Curator: It's all about the means of production. Prints like these democratized access to landscapes, circulating images of places inaccessible to many. Editor: I see the composition as a journey. The eye travels from the distant sea, up the cliffs, and settles on the architecture clinging to the heights. Curator: Consider the labor involved in creating and distributing these images. It was a whole industry supporting these kinds of topographical views. Editor: The interplay of light and shadow really makes this print. It captures the town's remoteness and the drama of its setting. Curator: Exactly! These prints were commodities, consumed by a growing middle class eager for vicarious travel. Editor: It feels both romantic and desolate; a beautiful depiction of a somewhat isolated place. Curator: Seeing how art and commerce intersect adds another layer to how we view this. Editor: I agree. It deepens our appreciation of what we see.