In the 1880s, France launched a government initiative focused on restoring its mountainous landscapes, equipping regional offices with innovative traveling cameras. These wooden backpacks contained cutting-edge technology that produced an extensive archive of photographs, highlighting the interplay between art and administration, according to art historian Kelly Presutti. This relationship is particularly significant in the context of the revolutionary changes that began in the late 18th century.
Presutti, an assistant professor in the history of art and visual studies at the College of Arts and Sciences, noted how examining Paul Cézanne’s “Mont Sainte-Victoire” paintings revealed the influence of state intervention on his artistic vision. Her book, “Land into Landscape: Art, Environment, and the Making of Modern France,” explores the impact of landscape depictions—through paintings, photographs, prints, porcelain, and maps—on the development of modern France. By narrating the stories behind various landscape artworks, from mountains to seascapes, she delves into the complex relationship between a place and its representation, illustrating how art has been instrumental in shaping France’s identity.
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