Gezicht op een gletsjer in de Alpen 1744 - 1816

Adrian Zingg created this print of a glacier in the Alps. It's a precise rendering, fitting for the late 18th century when scientific observation gained importance. Switzerland, where Zingg was from, was becoming a popular destination for the Grand Tour among wealthy Europeans. The Alps held a particular fascination, seen as sublime and untamed nature. Prints like these catered to that interest, bringing images of the landscape to a wider audience. Notice the way the glacier is depicted. It's not just a natural phenomenon, but an object of study, even domination. The print reflects the growing impulse to classify and understand the natural world, an impulse linked to colonial expansion and resource extraction. Historians use travel accounts, scientific treatises, and the records of institutions like the Royal Society to understand how nature was perceived and used in different eras. Art like this is invaluable for understanding the complex and shifting relationship between humans and the natural world.