Large Rocky Landscape (with Cart and Oxen) c. 17th century

Curator: Here we see Jacques Prou's "Large Rocky Landscape (with Cart and Oxen)," an etching measuring about 36 by 46 centimeters. Editor: It feels like a stage set, doesn’t it? All that drama of light and dark, but somehow… staged. Like a backdrop for some grand, forgotten opera. Curator: Etchings like this became increasingly popular in the 17th century, circulating idealized landscapes to a wider audience. Consider the role these prints played in shaping perceptions of nature. Editor: Right, and look at the ox and cart, they are so small compared to the overwhelming landscape that it makes you feel tiny. But there's a kind of humble beauty in that too. Curator: The print allows us to engage with the picturesque sensibilities of the era. It encourages us to ponder the relationship between humans and the environment. Editor: I am left wondering what happened before the curtain rose on this scene, and what's coming next, you know? Curator: Food for thought, I suppose. Editor: Indeed.