Plate III c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Johann Caspar Nepomuk Scheuren's "Plate III." It's a print, but the way the lines create depth is quite striking. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the etching process itself. The artist meticulously manipulates a metal plate, using acid to bite away at the surface, thus controlling the means of reproduction. How might this labor-intensive process reflect the social value placed on landscape imagery at the time? Editor: I never thought about it like that. It’s like the work becomes valuable not just for its image, but for the skill and time invested in its creation. Curator: Precisely. We can then see this print as more than just a pretty scene; it becomes a document reflecting the economic and social conditions of artistic production. Editor: This gives me a whole new perspective. Thanks!