Lake of Brienz c. late 19th century

John William Casilear rendered "Lake of Brienz" in graphite and white gouache on paper. Casilear belonged to the Hudson River School, a mid-19th century American art movement that romanticized the American landscape, often sidestepping the less picturesque realities of industrialization and westward expansion. Casilear, like many artists of his time, turned to European landscapes for inspiration, finding in them a sense of the sublime and the picturesque that resonated with the cultural values of the era. The delicate strokes and muted tones evoke a sense of tranquility, inviting viewers to lose themselves in the scene. Yet, this serene depiction is also a product of its time, reflecting a selective gaze that often overlooked the complex social and economic transformations shaping both Europe and America. While ostensibly a simple landscape, "Lake of Brienz" offers a window into the artistic and cultural values of the 19th century, inviting us to reflect on how we perceive and represent the world around us.