The Lesser Reichenbach Falls c. 19th century

Curator: This is Johann Hürlimann's "The Lesser Reichenbach Falls", part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It's striking! The waterfall dominates, but it's softened by the pastoral scene in the foreground. Curator: Hürlimann is capturing, in a way, the cultural fascination with the sublime, but also tames it, making it digestible for the consumer. I’m curious about what methods were employed to create this image, who produced it, and in what numbers. Editor: Waterfalls often represent the passage of time, the unstoppable force of nature, but the figures at the bottom suggest a human connection, a comfortable relationship with this force. Curator: Precisely, it's about commodifying the landscape. This image becomes a product in itself. Editor: And we’re still drawn to it. Curator: Right, by tracing the means of production and considering the function of this image, it is possible to think through its lasting value. Editor: Food for thought, indeed.