Gezicht op Werdenberg 1868 - 1912

This is a print of Werdenberg, made by Maria van Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. We know that the artist was a countess, and this immediately suggests something about the social context of the work. This isn't an oil painting intended for a gallery, but rather an etching, a print meant to be reproduced. Here, we can see the artist's interest in the techniques of reproduction, and her knowledge of acids and resists. The fine, delicate lines she has created demonstrate a real skill in the craft. It also shows a sensitivity to the graphic qualities of the medium, and how this is applied to the texture of the buildings. Given the artist's aristocratic status, the print may have been a labor of love rather than an attempt to make a living. But nonetheless, it demonstrates a keen interest in the possibilities of the print medium. It invites us to consider the broader cultural context of art production in the late 19th century. It reveals a shift towards more democratic forms of art making, beyond the traditional boundaries of painting and sculpture.