Dimensions: 14 1/8 × 13 in. (35.88 × 33.02 cm) (plate)17 5/8 × 14 1/16 in. (44.77 × 35.72 cm) (sheet)
Copyright: No Copyright - United States
Georges Lemmen created "The Garden," an etching, around 1891. Looking at the buildings that surround the dense garden in this print, it’s hard not to think about the rise of urbanization in Europe at the turn of the century. Lemmen was Belgian, and the population of Brussels nearly doubled in the late 19th century. This increase brought with it new construction, industry, and, of course, a different relationship to the natural world. Here, the artist shows us a way that nature can be cultivated, and appreciated, even within the confines of a city. We might consider the kind of person who would have the time and resources to grow and tend to such a garden. What does it mean to have access to nature, in a time of increasing industrialization? These are the kinds of questions we might ask, using city records and historical studies, to better understand works like this.
Comments
In 1891, Georges Lemmen had written of the French artist Odilon Redon, “As a lithographer, Mr. Redon possesses admirable qualities as a technician. He is an admirable colorist in black and white.” Here Lemmen shows himself to be a colorist in brown and white. He takes the most drab of all tones and treats us to a symphony of sunlight playing over wood, brick, stone, plants, and glass. Our eyes can walk like cats atop the maze of garden walls between the rows of houses and outbuildings, and, like cats, we must occasionally pause to look carefully at our surroundings.
Join the conversation
Join millions of artists and users on Artera today and experience the ultimate creative platform.
CollectMore like this
