Lake of Walenstadt from Walenstadt towards Weesen c. 18th century

Curator: This is Johann Heinrich Meyer's "Lake of Walenstadt from Walenstadt towards Weesen," housed in the Harvard Art Museums. I'm struck by its starkness. Editor: Yes, the sharp lines and minimal shading create a rather severe, almost graphic quality. Curator: Consider Meyer's process. As an engraver, he was part of a printmaking tradition deeply intertwined with commerce and dissemination of knowledge. These weren't luxury objects. Editor: Indeed. But look at how he uses line to suggest depth and texture—the rugged mountains, the ripples on the lake... It's quite sophisticated for a utilitarian print. Curator: Absolutely. The value lies in its accessibility, enabling broader audiences to experience the sublime through reproducible imagery. Editor: An interesting view. I see refinement in the very simplicity—the carefully considered composition and arrangement of forms. Curator: It certainly makes you rethink our notions of value and production. Editor: True, a piece like this underscores how much artistry can be found even in the most functional formats.