A Prospect in the Upper Part of Dove Dale c. 18th century

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums hold this print, entitled "A Prospect in the Upper Part of Dove Dale," by James Roberts. Editor: It feels… theatrical? Like a stage set with those dramatically placed rocks and suspiciously perfect foliage. What material is it? Curator: It's an etching and engraving. Consider the socio-political context; the Picturesque movement idealized nature, packaging it for consumption. Editor: Exactly. The labor involved in creating such detail, the control… it's about transforming the wild into something palatable for the elite. The material tells that story. Curator: But it also tapped into a burgeoning national identity, celebrating uniquely British landscapes. Its public role was to forge a sense of shared belonging. Editor: Belonging, yes, for those who could afford to acquire such images. We see the commodification of nature, shaped by the hand and values of its makers. Curator: A potent reminder that even landscapes are products of their time. Editor: Indeed, nature "improved" for the consumption of a specific audience.