Man Reading a Book 1764

This etching by Salomon Gessner, titled "Man Reading a Book", is a serene depiction of a man lost in thought amidst a tranquil natural setting. Created in 1764, the piece showcases Gessner's mastery of the pastoral genre, portraying a peaceful landscape of trees, a winding stream, and a solitary figure. The focus on the man's contemplation and the serene environment evokes a sense of tranquility and the beauty of solitude, making it a popular subject within the 18th-century artistic movement known as Romanticism. The work is currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago.