Remnants of the Fence c. 17th century

Curator: Here we have Allart van Everdingen's "Remnants of the Fence." It's an etching, and the scene feels quite desolate. Editor: Desolate, yes, but also incredibly detailed. Look at the layering of those fine lines creating the density of the forest—a real testament to the engraver's skill. Curator: Absolutely. Everdingen was really tapping into a taste for rugged landscapes, fitting with the period's increasing interest in the wild, untamed aspects of nature. It marks a shift in the cultural perception of landscape painting. Editor: And what about the literal materials? The copperplate, the acid, the paper—these informed the aesthetic as much as the subject. Think of the labor invested in creating such intricate detail. Curator: I see it more as a commentary on societal structures—the crumbling structures in the background juxtaposed with the active figures. Editor: Or, you know, it's just a guy making use of the materials at hand to depict his surroundings. Both things can be true. Curator: Indeed. It gives us something to think about. Editor: It certainly does, and it’s a lovely little piece to look at.