Randers 1767 - 1769

Editor: So, this is "Randers," an etching by Alexia von Lode, created between 1767 and 1769. I find it strangely calming, almost like a detailed dream. It is incredibly detailed, packed with elements that give a rich snapshot of the city, with a line-based structure to it, and is located at the SMK in Copenhagen. What strikes you when you look at this piece? Curator: Ah, Alexia! A master of the minuscule. To me, it's like peering into a snow globe, only instead of festive glitter, we have the quiet industry of 18th-century Randers. But notice the light! Even in an etching, von Lode manages to capture that cool, northern light, bouncing off the water and the clouds. It almost feels like you can smell the sea air. Ever feel that way about art? Editor: I get that. It really transports you. The windmill and figures feel so... grounded, juxtaposed against the openness of the sky. Curator: Exactly! And those tiny figures? They're not just there for decoration. They're vital – breathing life into the scene, a silent chorus singing the praises of everyday existence. I can almost imagine them laughing, can you? Von Lode captured not just the place, but the pulse of it, you know? Editor: Definitely, it’s almost frozen in time, but bustling with potential energy. Did many female artists create landscapes back then? Curator: Not as many as we’d like, sadly! Women often had restricted access to training and patronage, so finding a woman creating landscapes, especially with such skill and detail, is refreshing. It reminds us that art history is a constant rediscovery, that our perceptions are constantly shaped by who gets a voice. Editor: That makes me appreciate it even more. Thanks for pointing that out. I will certainly view it with renewed eyes. Curator: Absolutely. It’s a whisper from the past, inviting us to imagine the stories held within those etched lines. Beautiful, isn't it?