In Steinau 5 - 1843

Curator: Friedrich Karl Hausmann created "In Steinau" in 1843 using ink and pencil on paper. Editor: It's almost monochromatic, ghostly even. The light seems muted, making the textures really stand out. I get a somber feeling, looking at the textures of the stone and the aging wood. Curator: Indeed. Considering Romanticism's influence, Hausmann likely wanted to represent the mood as much as the place. Steinau at that time would have relied heavily on agriculture and simple trade. See how the buildings look functional and modest? Editor: Exactly. And the artist seems less interested in an accurate architectural representation, but more in capturing the weathering, the effects of time. Look how the sketchy lines almost feel fragile like the architecture itself is deteriorating. Curator: Which leads back to its creation—Hausmann made countless sketches during travels for his geological studies. Art-making served as documentation and study of social realities. Materials at hand shaped that reality and reflected it on the page. Editor: Perhaps. But consider the overall composition, how the eye moves back into the landscape. The use of soft gradations creates a sense of depth and atmospheric perspective. The light defines shapes but remains delicate, and creates depth that adds another dimension to its meaning. Curator: It’s also a testament to Romanticism’s obsession with finding an aesthetic in the every day, which becomes tied to class and economic background through the subjects Hausmann chose to memorialize. Editor: It becomes a landscape of feelings, an emotional space created through line and form. I’m more interested in its atmospheric qualities. Curator: Interesting how the confluence of art and science plays out across 19th century German art. Thanks for providing a fresh perspective on Steinau, which at first, appears simple. Editor: Thank you. Analyzing it through its formal features alone reveals the depth of such a deceptively simple work.