Rotswand met rustende man 1839 - 1845

Editor: So this is Henry Berthoud’s "Rotswand met rustende man," which I think translates to "Rock Face with Resting Man," made sometime between 1839 and 1845. It's an engraving, a medium that seems almost at odds with the raw, natural scene. It makes me wonder, what drew Berthoud to this specific method of reproduction for a scene like this? Curator: The choice of engraving is interesting, isn’t it? Consider the material reality: engravings were often used for mass production, disseminating images widely. Was Berthoud aiming for accessibility? To bring this "Romantic" vision of nature, this solitary contemplation, to a broader, perhaps bourgeois, audience? Editor: That’s a great point, the idea of wider distribution! It wasn't just about making a beautiful image, but making it accessible. What do you think the social context adds to how we see it now? Curator: Precisely. Think about the Industrial Revolution unfolding. There's a clear fascination with the pre-industrial, natural world, perhaps even a lament for a disappearing way of life. Look at the laborious process of engraving – each line etched meticulously – a stark contrast to the increasingly mechanized production methods of the era. The very act of creating the work becomes a statement. Editor: So, the means of production highlight a tension between the natural and the manufactured, even a resistance to it? I never considered engraving as having this voice! Curator: Absolutely! It allows us to reconsider traditional boundaries. Was Berthoud just creating "high art", or also engaging in a form of material commentary? Editor: Wow, I am definitely rethinking how to see this artwork. I am struck that Berthoud might be making us confront the societal tensions within landscape art, itself. Thanks so much! Curator: My pleasure. Reflecting on the artist's choices in materials helps expose a network of labour, production, and ideology, and really encourages to dig a little deeper.