Hohenlinden c. 19th century

Curator: This is Robert Wallis's print, Hohenlinden, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you about it? Editor: The density. It's a tiny scene, but packed with details of industry and labor, all crammed into this vignette! Curator: Wallis was particularly interested in the intersection of landscape and labor. We see this reflected in the ways materials are extracted from land and how that, in turn, produces this image. Editor: The high contrast etching certainly emphasizes the texture of the land and its manipulation. It’s like looking at a miniature stage for historical dramas. Curator: Precisely! It gives us pause to consider how these landscapes are shaped and consumed, both literally and artistically. Editor: Indeed, a small artwork carrying profound considerations. Thank you for sharing these insights.