Hermit's Hut on a Hill c. 18th century

Editor: This is Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich's "Hermit's Hut on a Hill." I'm immediately drawn to the tiny, almost precarious dwelling nestled amongst these imposing rocks. What can you tell me about this print? Curator: It speaks volumes about the 18th-century fascination with the idea of the recluse, doesn't it? Notice how Dietrich positions the hut. What does its placement suggest about society's view of those who sought isolation? Editor: Perhaps they were seen as needing to be "kept away," separated. Curator: Precisely. Also, consider the market for such imagery. Who purchased these prints, and what did they signify for the buyers within their social context? Editor: That's fascinating! I never thought about landscape prints in that way before. Curator: Art often reflects the ideals and anxieties of its time. Looking at art through a historical lens really reveals so much more!