Landschap met rivier bij zonsondergang 1862 - 1913

Editor: Here we have Alphonse Stengelin's "Landschap met rivier bij zonsondergang," made sometime between 1862 and 1913. It looks like it was printed with ink on paper. The whole image is so soft and still. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a pastoral scene, yes, but through the lens of its potential to engage in dialogues about environmental justice. Consider the river: waterways are often sites of industrial activity, waste disposal, and ecological disruption, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. How does this seemingly peaceful image either obscure or, perhaps more subtly, allude to such issues? Editor: I hadn't thought of that. The image does seem to idealize a connection to nature. Curator: Precisely. And who has access to this idyllic landscape? Who profits from it, and who bears the burden of its exploitation? Think about the historical context: late 19th, early 20th century. What societal changes were underway that might have impacted how people interacted with and depicted nature? What industrial practices shaped the landscape at this time? Editor: So, you’re saying this image may reflect the unequal access to, or the effects of industrial change on, natural spaces? Curator: Exactly. While on the surface it seems like a simple landscape, thinking about the socio-political context in which it was made prompts us to consider deeper questions about our relationship with nature and who bears the costs of its use. Editor: That is something to think about. I now see this peaceful sunset with a more critical perspective.