Zicht op de Pont d'Espagne 1835 - 1836

Louis-Julien Jacottet created this print titled 'Zicht op de Pont d'Espagne'. It depicts a bridge over a waterfall in the Pyrenees. Such images were made to be consumed by people keen to conjure up and connect with the sublime qualities of nature in an age of increasing industrialisation and urbanisation. The figures crossing the bridge give us a sense of scale, allowing us to imagine ourselves in the landscape. At the same time, the rocky landscape and gushing waterfall evokes the power of nature. Prints such as these were popular at the time. They tapped into a growing tourist industry and fed public appetites for picturesque views. A print like this would most likely have circulated among the middle classes. By buying and displaying an image of a remote location, this class defined itself as educated, tasteful and affluent. Understanding the context of an artwork means looking at the artist, the location, and the market that consumed the work. It means accessing archives and libraries. It is only by doing this that we can understand the social and cultural significance of art.