Landskab med vandfald 1856

Curator: Standing before us is Peter Christian Schøler's 1856 etching, "Landskab med vandfald," or "Landscape with Waterfall" if you're like me and prefer English! It resides here at the SMK, the Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: Whoa. Moody. The waterfall's churning away down below while there's some serious weather brewing up above. It’s dramatic! Is it just me, or is it romantic…like a tortured Byronic hero sort of romantic? Curator: Indeed. Schøler worked within the Romantic tradition, which idealized nature, especially its sublime and awe-inspiring qualities. The contrast between the tumultuous waterfall and the ominous sky certainly embodies that sensibility. Remember, too, the burgeoning sense of nationalism throughout Europe at this time: places became symbols. Editor: Right. I see it in the almost overwhelming feeling this image creates – it practically screams of powerful forces. The detail is amazing, though! I mean, it's an etching, but look at the variety in the tones he manages to get just in the water! Curator: Schøler’s printmaking expertise allowed him to capture a great sense of depth and texture through line and tone. This was widely reproducible too, making images like this very accessible for a broad audience who wanted a bit of ‘high art’ for their own home. So in a way, it makes Romanticism...democratic. Editor: It’s like he’s tamed the wildness, distilled it, and is serving it to you as a handy square. I think I would be much less enthusiastic staring at that storm in reality than I am appreciating it through his lines. Clever guy! I appreciate him battling the elements for me. Curator: Indeed. It's a fine example of how art shapes not only our vision but also our engagement with history and the landscapes we think we know so well. Editor: This has really given me a craving for experiencing nature on a grand scale...Maybe I’ll start by getting out of the city sometime next week.