Ville de Thun, Switzerland (Liber Studiorum, part XII, plate 59) 1816

Joseph Mallord William Turner created this print, “Ville de Thun, Switzerland,” as part of his “Liber Studiorum” series. Turner, working in the early 19th century, found himself amidst a Romantic movement grappling with the sublime and the picturesque. His work, including this print, reflects that tension. The scene, rendered in sepia tones, presents an idyllic view of Thun, but look closely. There’s a sense of labor, of people working within this landscape. The figures on the dock, the boats on the water, remind us of the everyday lives that intersect with the grandeur of nature. Turner was deeply interested in how the burgeoning industrial revolution was changing the relationship between people and their environments. Turner’s legacy is complex; he was celebrated and critiqued in his own time. His exploration of light and atmosphere, even in print, offers us a glimpse into a world on the cusp of transformation, inviting us to reflect on our own place within the ever-evolving landscape.