Gezicht op het Dachsteingebergte Possibly 1888

This printed illustration of the Dachstein Mountains was made by Oskar Simony, likely around the turn of the twentieth century. It’s printed in ink on paper using a process that allowed for the relatively easy reproduction of images. The image would have been created through a collaboration of skilled hands. The artist would have first captured the view either in a preliminary sketch or photograph. Then, a trained printmaker would have used this as a template to create a matrix, most likely a metal plate, from which many copies could be made. This division of labor reflects the growth of industrial image production, and the corresponding professionalization of artistic labor. The relatively low cost of printing meant that images like this one could be widely distributed, fuelling an enthusiasm for landscape and the natural world. This process, with its blending of artistic skill and commercial intent, reminds us that even depictions of pristine nature are deeply embedded in social and economic networks.