Chain of the Alps from Grenoble to Chamberi c. 19th century

Curator: Turner’s “Chain of the Alps from Grenoble to Chamberi”, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents us with a seemingly barren landscape. Editor: It has the feel of an allegory, or perhaps a memento mori, those figures in the foreground looking forlorn as if facing an inevitable fate. Curator: It is the technique that fascinates me. Look at the use of etching, a process of using acid to cut into a metal plate. This printmaking method allowed Turner to create multiple impressions of this landscape, disseminating his vision to a wider audience, effectively democratizing the experience of viewing the Alps. Editor: Those jagged peaks echo the anxieties of the modern sublime, the insignificance of the human figure amidst vastness. The mountains serve as a timeless symbol of power and endurance, contrasting with the fragile figures at its base. Curator: Considering the means of production, how accessible were these prints? How much did they cost, and who could afford them? This opens up a discussion about Turner's market and the social implications of his art. Editor: It's a stark visual poem about man's relationship with nature, really. Curator: Indeed. Editor: Yes, well, an interesting print indeed.