Landscape c. 18th century

Curator: Ferdinand Kobell created this landscape; it's a pen and black ink drawing. Editor: My first impression is quiet, contemplative. The limited palette draws you in. I see a path into what seems like a dark copse of trees. Curator: That darkness might reflect 18th-century anxieties. Landscape wasn't just about beauty; it was also about property, control, and the sublime's potential to overwhelm. How does this resonate with our contemporary understanding of environmental concerns? Editor: The trees themselves carry significant weight. They've historically symbolized both refuge and the untamed wild—the liminal space. That tiny figure walking through them only emphasizes nature's dominance. The trees represent something enduring. Curator: I appreciate how you’ve woven in that perspective. Editor: It's interesting to consider how the symbolism of the trees endures through changing times and perspectives.