Velino Falls Near Terni c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Friedrich Wilhelm Gmelin's "Velino Falls Near Terni." It's so dramatic! What do you see in this piece, in terms of its historical context? Curator: The sublime was very fashionable at the time. This image participates in a broader cultural trend of idealizing nature. How do you think the figures at the bottom contribute to this ideal? Editor: They seem to emphasize the scale of the waterfall, making it seem even grander! I never really thought about the politics of landscape art. Curator: Exactly! It reveals how landscapes were curated and consumed, shaped by social values and power dynamics. Hopefully, you'll think of this piece next time you see art depicting nature.