View from the Brühl Terrace toward the Hofkirche and the Augustus Bridge, Dresden c. 1820

Editor: This is Adrian Ludwig Richter’s "View from the Brühl Terrace," showing Dresden. It looks like a simple pencil drawing, but the detail is impressive. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: I’m drawn to the labor evident in Richter’s close observation and detailed rendering of the scene. Think about the social context: who had the time and resources to create and consume such detailed views? The materiality of the pencil and paper also speaks volumes. Editor: So, it’s not just about the pretty scenery? Curator: Not at all. It’s about the means of production, the consumption of idyllic views, and the social hierarchies embedded within. Consider, for example, how the print might have circulated and been consumed. Editor: That really changes how I see it. Thanks!