Vandløb 1750 - 1774

This is "Vandløb," a delicate etching made by B. Flügge, sometime between 1659 and 1759, and now held at the Statens Museum for Kunst. The image depicts a tranquil waterside scene, framed by trees, with figures in the distance. Consider the context in which Flügge produced this work. Etchings like this circulated as commodities in 18th-century Europe. They satisfied a growing demand for picturesque views and also played a role in shaping taste. Nature wasn't just 'out there'; it became a subject of aesthetic contemplation. The print medium itself is significant. It allowed for the wide dissemination of images. Museums, in their emerging role, helped to classify and preserve these prints, defining what was considered artistically valuable. To fully understand "Vandløb," we need to delve into archives and collections. By studying the history of printmaking, the art market, and the development of museums, we can better appreciate the social and cultural forces that shaped both the creation and the appreciation of this image.