Kjukanfot Falls in the County of Telemar, Norway c. 18th century

Curator: This is Jacques Ignace Latouche's rendering of "Kjukanfot Falls in the County of Telemar, Norway," housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's immediately striking how the monochrome palette emphasizes the raw materiality of the landscape. Look at how Latouche uses brown wash and graphite! Curator: Indeed. The falls themselves, and the figures at the base, offer a glimpse into 19th-century society's fascination with the sublime and the picturesque. Editor: And how that translates materially! The texture of the rocks, rendered with such apparent ease, belies the labor involved in creating this illusion of untouched nature. Curator: It's worth noting how Latouche positions the figures in relation to the falls, inviting the viewer to contemplate humanity's place within a powerful, natural setting. Editor: Right, but who produced the paper and pigment Latouche used? This work is a product of specific resources and skills, masking an exploitative economic system behind the beautiful landscape. Curator: A powerful point. It’s crucial to consider the historical and socio-economic framework that enabled the production and reception of such art. Editor: Precisely. Seeing how raw materials shape even the most romantic depictions of nature gives us a richer understanding of the whole cultural landscape.