Gezicht op Ullswater in het Lake District met twee boten c. 1857 - 1867

Garnett & Sproat made this photograph of Ullswater in the Lake District at an unknown date. The image encapsulates a pivotal moment in British cultural history, when the sublime beauty of the natural landscape became a focus for both artistic expression and leisure. The Lake District, with its dramatic fells and tranquil waters, emerged as a popular destination during the Romantic era. Simultaneously, photography was evolving as a medium, democratizing the production of images that had previously been available only through painting. Garnett & Sproat, as commercial photographers, catered to a growing market for picturesque views that tourists could take home as souvenirs. This image speaks to the burgeoning tourism industry and the commodification of the natural landscape. Understanding the cultural context of this photograph requires us to consider guidebooks, travelogues, and the marketing strategies of railway companies that promoted tourism. These resources reveal how the Lake District was constructed as a site of national identity, cultural heritage and the rise of leisure.