Rocky Landscape c. 18th century

Editor: This is "Rocky Landscape," an etching by Francesco Bartolozzi. I'm struck by the contrast between the craggy rocks and the delicate figures. What do you see in the composition that stands out to you? Curator: The artist’s manipulation of line is quite fascinating. Observe the rigorous cross-hatching used to articulate depth and volume. How does the calculated distribution of light and shadow contribute to the overall pictorial space, in your opinion? Editor: The shading definitely accentuates the rugged texture of the landscape. It's incredible how much detail he achieved with simple lines. Curator: Precisely. The success of the composition rests on this fundamental structural interplay. I appreciate your insights. Editor: And I yours! Seeing it this way, I realize that the landscape is actually the main subject.