Waterfall, Lake Thun c. 18th century

Curator: This is Salomon Gessner's "Waterfall, Lake Thun." Editor: Hmm, it looks like an etching. It’s…well, a bit bleak, isn’t it? Lots of grey and stark lines. It feels quite imposing. Curator: Gessner was a key figure in the German-Swiss Enlightenment, who really pushed idyllic themes celebrating nature. This piece reflects the cultural movement of the sublime, where nature is depicted as beautiful but also terrifying. Editor: Terrifying! Right, the waterfall could be a metaphor for the unstoppable force of nature, I suppose. All those tiny, repetitive lines almost make me feel dizzy. It's quite effective. Curator: Gessner's idyllic scenes became increasingly popular at a time when the public's perception of nature was changing. The printing press allowed him to really capitalize on that growing market. Editor: I can see why it would appeal. There's a real intensity of detail in the landscape. Despite the gloom, it draws you in. Curator: The power of dissemination indeed! Editor: Definitely leaves you with something to ponder, even today.