Gezicht op een strand bij Torquay c. 1850 - 1880

Curator: Here we have Francis Bedford's "Gezicht op een strand bij Torquay," dating from approximately 1850 to 1880. Editor: It strikes me as remarkably still, almost staged, despite being a beach scene. There's a very strong emphasis on line—the horizon, the sharp angles of the rock face, even the arrangement of objects on the sand. It gives it a sense of formalism, of carefully constructed space. Curator: Absolutely. Bedford, known for his landscape photography, was certainly influenced by the pictorialist movement. You can see how he manipulates the scene to create a picturesque view. Note the composition, dividing the scene into clear foreground, middle ground, and background layers. Editor: I'm curious about this location though, and what it means to capture the Devonshire coastline in the mid-19th century. Coastal resorts were becoming fashionable then weren't they? Curator: Precisely. This is Torquay, which, thanks to the railways, was blossoming as a seaside resort for the British elite. These photographs were often produced and distributed as postcards and collectible stereo views for visitors to take home, showcasing scenes that appealed to them. The "ladies bathing cove" specifically caters to a social need. Editor: Ah, so it becomes a sort of souvenir, then. Did the presence of tourism impact the types of scenery that artists deemed worthy of capturing at this time? I wonder if a similar beach location might be documented with the industrial influence also included for an economic perspective instead? Curator: Undoubtably. The emerging tourist industry certainly curated which scenes were valorized, what kinds of spaces were seen as picturesque and desirable to record or view in stereo form. This cove, secluded and untouched, fits perfectly within those expectations. Notice how the composition seems to exclude any evidence of modern construction that does not conform. Editor: I find it very insightful to think about what has been removed or emphasized for that perfect tourist postcard! All of this constructed for that “seaside holiday dream” through photographic images. It has altered my perspective from purely composition to one about promotion and influence in this picture. Curator: I agree wholeheartedly. Considering the interplay between artistic expression and its historical context illuminates the true depth of Bedford's photography.