Zicht op Luzern 1820

Constant Bourgeois captured this view of Luzern with an etching. This print offers more than just a pretty landscape; it invites us to consider the relationship between power, place, and identity. In the 18th and 19th centuries, images of serene landscapes were frequently deployed to evoke ideas of national identity and belonging. But for whom was this sense of belonging intended? Consider how the ‘neutrality’ of the Swiss landscape is constructed through the selective framing of certain elements. Notice how the composition emphasizes the architecture and strategic position of the city, possibly echoing the concerns of a society grappling with questions of sovereignty and defense. Who gets to claim ownership over a landscape, and whose stories are told through its representation? Bourgeois' print prompts us to reflect on the ways in which images shape our understanding of history, geography, and belonging.