Silvaplana c. 18th century

Editor: This is Salomon Gessner’s "Silvaplana," made sometime in the late 18th century. It's a lovely landscape, but the people and animals seem dwarfed by the mountains. What social dynamics do you see reflected in this piece? Curator: Well, landscape art of this period often reflects colonial power dynamics. How might the depiction of nature as sublime and humans as small reinforce a sense of European dominance? Editor: That's a really interesting point. I hadn't considered how landscape could be a tool for asserting control. It gives me a lot to think about. Curator: Consider also who had access to these landscapes, both in the artwork and in real life. The act of viewing and possessing such scenes was tied to privilege. Editor: I see what you mean. Thanks for sharing your perspective.