La Glandée; from Magasin Pittoresque 1848 - 1864

Curator: This is La Glandée, an 1848-1864 woodcut by Charles Jacque. It was originally published in the Magasin Pittoresque. Editor: There’s something almost photographic about the tonal range he’s achieved with the woodcut. The texture gives a lovely dappled effect across the whole composition. Curator: The French term “glandée” refers to the practice of releasing pigs into forests to forage on acorns and beech nuts. Historically, this practice had symbolic connotations tied to notions of agrarian life and traditional land use, especially in areas where communal rights to forests were important. Editor: It’s interesting to think about how Jacque uses the black and white medium. The textural interplay in the trees, the subtle transitions from light to dark. There are remarkable passages of tonality throughout that bring depth. Curator: The pig, an animal laden with cultural meanings, appears often as a symbol of abundance, but sometimes also of gluttony and earthly pleasures. This simple scene speaks to the relationship between humans, animals, and nature. It also connects us with older European folk traditions, with woodland foraging at its heart. Editor: What I find most compelling about this work is how Jacque managed to get such intricate detail. Look how he contrasts areas of tight detail against larger forms, which really amplifies the graphic quality and creates spatial depth within the landscape. Curator: Exactly. The artwork acts as a memory of rural France, connecting us to a lifestyle of pastoral imagery. Editor: Ultimately, Jacque presents a seemingly basic, but deeply engaging meditation on tone, texture and form, masterfully delivered.