Mountain Rising into the Clouds c. 18th century

Editor: This is Ferdinand Kobell's "Mountain Rising into the Clouds." The detailed etching work has a captivating energy. What can you tell me about the process behind this piece? Curator: Notice how the etched lines create texture, mimicking the materiality of rock and foliage. Consider the social context: was this print intended for mass production, democratizing access to landscape views? Editor: That's interesting! I hadn't considered the work's accessibility. Curator: Yes, and how does the labor involved in etching compare to, say, painting? This changes the perceived value, doesn't it? Editor: It certainly does. Thinking about the social aspect enriches my appreciation.