Arcadian Landscape with an Obelisk 1785

Salomon Gessner created this Arcadian Landscape with an Obelisk using oil on canvas. Born in Switzerland, Gessner lived during a time of significant social and political change. The painting invites us into an idealized pastoral world. In the 18th century, "Arcadia" was an idea that represented a nostalgic vision of rural simplicity. Yet, these landscapes often mask the realities of rural life, like labor, poverty, and social hierarchies. Here, figures gather casually around a fountain, while an obelisk rises in the background, a symbol of power and permanence. Are they inhabitants of this landscape, or visitors? Gessner’s work encourages a dialogue between the romanticized ideal and the complex social realities of his time. It makes us think about how we look at the landscape around us, and whose stories are included, or left out, of these scenes.