Bognor 1820

Curator: This is "Bognor" by Peter De Wint. De Wint, born in 1784 and deceased in 1849, captured this coastal scene, now part of the Tate Collections. Editor: It's striking how the figures seem small against the vastness of the beach and sky; it certainly evokes a sense of isolation. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the social and economic context; seaside towns like Bognor were becoming increasingly popular, accessible leisure destinations. The print perhaps touches upon the changing relationship between labor, class and landscape. Editor: I see that. The boats and the figures on the beach; it speaks to how spaces are used and experienced differently by different social groups. Curator: Exactly! This print offers a glimpse into the leisure practices shaping societal structures and identities in 19th-century Britain. Editor: It's fascinating to consider how this quiet coastal scene reflects broader social shifts. Curator: Precisely. Art as a record of lived experience, revealing the quiet revolutions shaping our world.