Gezicht op de oevers van het meer van Genève bij Saint-Gingolph 1852 - 1906

Emilie Rolin-Jacquemijns made this print of Lake Geneva at Saint-Gingolph using etching techniques sometime in the late 19th century. The scene reflects a growing interest in landscape as a subject in its own right, a departure from its use as mere backdrop to historical or mythological narratives. Prints like these gained popularity in the 19th century due to advances in reproductive technologies and the rise of a middle class with disposable income and leisure time. Such landscapes were not just records of place; they spoke to emerging ideas about national identity and the sublime power of nature. Switzerland, with its dramatic mountains and serene lakes, became a key site for this kind of imagery. Prints were collected in albums and displayed in homes, shaping perceptions and reinforcing cultural values. Art historians examine such images in the context of travel, leisure, and the promotion of national image, often using sources like travel guides, exhibition catalogs, and personal correspondence to shed light on their cultural significance.