Laan met bomen, met rechts een rotswand 1907 - 1930

This photogravure of a tree-lined path with a rock face was created by Adolphe Burdet, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Imagine Burdet, finding the right spot to capture this scene. The light is soft, diffused, and the composition, divided by the path, makes me think about being led into the scene, one step at a time. The gravure printing process would have allowed Burdet to capture subtle tonal variations, especially in the sky and rockface. The grainy texture and warm brown tones, ochre, and green evoke the feeling of a natural setting, as though the image itself is growing and maturing. I wonder if Burdet was thinking about the picturesque aesthetic when he made this. Perhaps he was also inspired by the Barbizon school and their emphasis on naturalism. Each generation of artists takes inspiration from the past while also adding something new and personal. It's a great tradition to be part of.