The Pissevache c. 18th century

Editor: So, here we have Salomon Gessner's "The Pissevache". It's an etching, and the scene feels very staged, almost like a theatrical backdrop. What's your take on its social context? Curator: It's interesting you say that. Gessner romanticizes the sublime power of nature, framing it as something to be observed and almost conquered. But who gets to access this "sublime?" Note the figures carefully placed within the landscape – are they truly experiencing nature, or merely performing a spectacle of privileged observation? Editor: That's a great point! So, it’s about access and the performance of experiencing nature, not necessarily the experience itself? Curator: Exactly. And consider the implied power dynamics. Who controls the narrative, the image, and ultimately, the land? This is where art becomes a tool for understanding social hierarchies. What do you think? Editor: I hadn't considered the power aspect so directly, but now it seems obvious. Thanks!