Clevner See c. 18th century

Curator: Gessner's "Clevner See" presents us with an almost theatrical rendering of the Swiss Alps. It projects a specific view of nature that reflects the cultural values of his time. Editor: It’s quite stark, isn’t it? The bold lines and contrast give it a dramatic, almost ominous feel despite the picturesque scene. Curator: The sublime was fashionable. Think about the rise of the enlightened citizen: here, nature is not just a backdrop, but a space where personal and political identities are formed. Editor: But there's such a clear hierarchy. Nature dominates, people are just tiny figures. Does this say something about power structures, then? Curator: It speaks to the era's fascination with nature's power and the individual’s place within a larger societal context. Gessner offers a carefully constructed vision. Editor: Interesting! I still find the sheer scale of it overwhelming, making me consider our relationship to nature and the picturesque, even today.