[Landscape, Arras] 1852

"[Landscape, Arras]" (1852) by Adalbert Cuvelier is a striking example of 19th century landscape photography. The print, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures the dense, almost foreboding atmosphere of a wooded area. The trees, with their branches reaching towards the sky, are rendered in shades of gray, their forms subtly obscured by the dappled light filtering through the foliage. The viewer is drawn to the central path, which seems to lead towards a distant light source, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. The composition, characterized by its deep shadows and the verticality of the trees, adds to the sense of grandeur and the overwhelming presence of nature.