Peasant in a Storm c. 18th century

Editor: This is Ferdinand Kobell's "Peasant in a Storm," a print housed at the Harvard Art Museums. I'm struck by how the artist uses light and shadow to create such a dramatic mood, even with such a simple subject. What do you make of the composition? Curator: The success of this print lies within the visual texture achieved through contrasting mark-making. See how densely packed the lines are in the upper register, suggesting a turbulent sky, versus the more sparse application in the foreground? Editor: Yes, the high contrast gives it so much depth. It’s almost unsettling. Curator: Precisely. The manipulation of line weight creates the illusion of depth and contributes to the overall expressive impact of the scene. The formal elements work together to establish a sense of unease. Editor: It's interesting to see how much emotion can be conveyed just through line and form. Curator: Indeed, a masterclass in the expressive power of formal elements!