Pad met bomen 1835 - 1908

Giovanni Fattori made this print, called "Path with Trees", using etching, a process that democratized image production in the 19th century. Fattori was a key member of the Macchiaioli, a group of Italian painters active in Tuscany in the second half of the 19th century, and as such he was well aware of the social and political role of the artist. Here we see a tree-lined walkway beside a body of water, perhaps a river. The fine, almost frenetic lines create a vibrant sense of light playing across the scene. Note the subtle gradations of tone, achieved through the etching technique, suggesting a hazy atmosphere. It was made in a time of great change in Italy, the etching is an expression of the artist's progressive social and aesthetic views. By studying the Macchiaioli and the Italian context of the Risorgimento, we can understand how Fattori's work reflects a desire for national unity and social reform. It is through this kind of socio-historical research that we can truly appreciate the depth and complexity of this deceptively simple image.