Antieke tempel op een heuvel bij de rivier 1767 - 1768

Salomon Gessner created this print of an antique temple on a hill by the river. Gessner captures a tranquil landscape, dominated by the contrast between the dark, intricate foliage and the classically-inspired architecture atop the hill. The composition is structured to lead the eye from the foreground figures, through the cascading waterfall, to the temple, set against a backdrop of softly etched sky. This deliberate arrangement reflects the 18th-century fascination with idealized nature and classical forms. The temple, a symbol of reason and order, stands in gentle contrast to the wildness of the natural landscape. Gessner uses the graphic medium to explore themes of harmony between nature and civilization. Notice how the texture of the engraving creates depth and atmosphere, inviting contemplation on the relationship between human structures and the natural world. The balance achieved in the artwork invites continuous re-evaluation of these elements.