Gezicht op Pout bij het Lac de Joux 1782

Johann Ludwig Aberli made this watercolor of Pout near Lac de Joux in Switzerland sometime in the 18th century. The image offers a picturesque view of the Swiss landscape, reflecting the growing interest in the natural world and its aesthetic qualities during this period. But consider the social conditions that shape artistic production. Aberli was a prominent figure in the Bernese art scene, known for his topographical views that catered to the tastes of the Swiss elite and the burgeoning tourist industry. The popularity of such images contributed to the construction of a national identity rooted in the celebration of Switzerland's natural beauty. Did Aberli critique the institutions of art? Understanding this artwork requires research into the cultural and economic history of 18th-century Switzerland. Art history shows that art is not made in a vacuum but is contingent on social and institutional context.