Forest 1868

Editor: This is "Forest" by Alfred Alexandre Delauney, from the late 19th century. It's a detailed print, and it makes me think about the Romantics' focus on nature. What do you see in it, from a historical viewpoint? Curator: Considering Delauney's time, this forest scene reflects a growing urban-rural divide. How were landscapes being used to construct national identity and social values? Was it a celebration of the untamed, or a controlled representation for a specific audience? Editor: That’s a great question! I never considered that landscapes can have a public and political role. Curator: Precisely. Think about the art market and how images of nature become commodities. The way artists depicted forests back then really reflects some complex cultural values. Editor: This makes me see the artwork differently. Thanks!