Via Mala Near Rongellen 1786

Editor: This is Salomon Gessner’s etching, "Via Mala Near Rongellen." The scene is incredibly dramatic! What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: I’m drawn to the material reality of this landscape. The rocky terrain and precarious bridge highlight the labor required to traverse such a space. How does Gessner's technique, this etching process, influence your perception of the scene's industrial potential? Editor: I hadn't considered that! The starkness of the etching definitely emphasizes the harshness of the environment. Curator: Precisely. It makes you think about resource extraction and the manipulation of the land. This piece is less about aesthetic beauty and more about the relationship between humans and their environment. Editor: I see. It's about acknowledging the labor and the impact. Thanks for pointing that out!