Gezicht op een dorp aan het water met twee mannen in een boot 1768

Salomon Gessner made this print of a village scene with two men in a boat using etching, sometime in the 18th century. The scene depicts a tranquil rural life, a common theme in Gessner's work. Made in Switzerland, this artwork reflects the cultural values of the time, where an idealized view of the countryside was appreciated. You see, throughout the 18th century, there was a growing interest in nature and rural life as a retreat from urban society. This print is a good example of that trend. The image creates meaning through its depiction of the landscape and simple life. The church tower, peeking out in the background, also suggests the importance of religion in community life at the time. To understand this artwork better, you can look into the history of landscape art and the cultural context of 18th-century Switzerland. The meaning of art is always tied to its social and institutional context.