Landscape Two c. 18th century

Editor: This is Ferdinand Kobell’s "Landscape Two," created sometime before 1799, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The scene within the frame is so detailed, it feels almost photographic. What stands out to you? Curator: The etching's layered effect is crucial. Consider the physical labor involved in creating these intricate lines. The consumption of prints like these speaks to the burgeoning market for accessible art and the artist's role within that system. How does the process itself inform our understanding of the landscape depicted? Editor: It’s interesting to consider the artist's labor in creating an image of leisure, and also the labor involved in the consumption of prints. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. Seeing the process as integral to the artwork really reframes it.