Plate III 18th-19th century

Curator: Adrian Zingg’s “Plate III” presents a serene vista; the manipulation of light and shadow evokes a palpable sense of place. Editor: My first impression is the tranquility; the boats, the distant buildings—everything seems to echo a simpler time. What symbols do you see emerging? Curator: The boats themselves could symbolize journeys, but I am more interested in the physical labor involved in creating this etching, the copper plate, the paper, and how such materials shaped artistic expression in the 18th century. Editor: But consider the iconography of water, its life-giving properties, its association with cleansing and reflection, or the trees, which are so often symbols of resilience and growth. Curator: The trees are not merely symbols; they are a product of their environment. The printmaking process itself is a kind of industrial production, reflecting the era's changing modes of making. Editor: Perhaps. But the artist's choice to depict this particular scene, bathed in soft light, whispers of a yearning for an idealized past. Curator: Ultimately, whether we focus on its creation or its symbolic weight, "Plate III" offers us a valuable glimpse into the artistic and material conditions of its time. Editor: Yes, a shared past experienced through image and material.