Lisière du Bois 1846

Editor: This is Charles Jacque's "Lisière du Bois," an etching from 1846 currently held at the Met. It feels almost haunting, stark black lines creating these looming, skeletal trees. What underlying narratives do you think are at play here? Curator: Well, this piece, like much of Jacque's work, sits at a fascinating intersection. Consider the historical context: the rise of industrialization in 19th-century France drastically altered the landscape, both literally and metaphorically. What might this “edge of the woods” represent in a society increasingly divorced from nature? Editor: Maybe a boundary, or even a tension, between the natural world and encroaching civilization? Curator: Precisely. The stark realism also points to a growing interest in depicting the world as it *is*, not necessarily as idealized academic painting dictated. And beyond the aesthetic, who had access to these landscapes? Consider issues of land ownership and the impact of resource extraction on rural communities. Are the figures we can barely perceive on the track privileged walkers, common laborers, or something else? What is the artist telling us, consciously or unconsciously, about class and nature? Editor: So it’s not just a pretty landscape, but a commentary on society. Seeing it in terms of accessibility and environmental impact makes me think about these things from an environmental justice point of view. Curator: Exactly! By questioning what is being represented and *for whom*, we unearth potent narratives that are still relevant today. We realize how vital the social and historical backdrop is. Editor: I hadn't considered that it would speak to our time. I see it now. Thank you.