Rivier met op de achtergrond Alpen landschap c. 1860 - 1880

Editor: We’re looking at “Rivier met op de achtergrond Alpen landschap,” River with Alpine landscape in the background by Achille Quinet, dating to around 1860 to 1880. It’s an albumen print. There’s a kind of sepia wash over everything that feels really nostalgic and distant, almost dreamlike. What strikes you about this work? Curator: Well, this isn't just any snapshot; it's a crafted vision of nature, a landscape seen through the romantic lens of the mid-19th century. What do you feel when you look at those towering mountains softened by the hazy light? Editor: A sense of scale, definitely, but also a kind of tranquility. It's grand but somehow peaceful. Curator: Exactly! Quinet captures that feeling of awe inspired by nature. He's using the very latest photographic technology. You’ve probably noticed it's a stereo card? Editor: Yes, a stereograph. It feels like early VR, trying to trick the eye into seeing depth. So, this image was mass-produced? Did people collect these? Curator: Precisely! Think of these as the postcards of their time. People were hungry for images of the world, and the Alps held particular allure. Did you notice anything else, perhaps where your gaze falls first? Editor: Definitely drawn to the river, because of the composition. The converging lines really pull your eye. It’s so calm; I could almost step right in. It’s not just documenting a place, but crafting an experience, like theatre or an old photograph found in your attic. Curator: I concur completely. Editor: It is an extraordinary journey to delve into 19th-century visual culture.