Autumn c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Johann Esaias Nilson's "Autumn," an etching on paper. I'm intrigued by the tent-like structure and the figures interacting with it. What's your take on this piece? Curator: Given Nilson's context, I see the etching as a commentary on the material comforts afforded by the season, reflected in the tent and leisurely hunt. Do you see a tension between the depiction of leisure and the labor required to produce such a print? Editor: I hadn't considered the labor involved! It makes me think about the intended audience and their relationship to both the print and the lifestyle it depicts. Curator: Exactly! And considering the cost of materials and the process of etching, we can infer a certain level of wealth and access both in the image and among its consumers.