Landschap met bossen en een meer ("Ullswater") c. 1890 - 1900

P. Paulsen created this landscape photograph, titled "Landschap met bossen en een meer ("Ullswater")," though the date remains unknown. Landscape photography, like many artistic forms, carries its own set of cultural and historical underpinnings. During its rise in popularity, landscape photography often served to reinforce notions of national identity and manifest destiny. It was frequently used as a tool to celebrate the natural world, while simultaneously justifying its exploitation. Consider how the untouched wilderness becomes a resource, a commodity to be managed and controlled. This image invites us to consider how landscapes are not simply passive backdrops, but active participants in shaping our understanding of nature, culture, and power. Think about the emotional connection you feel to particular landscapes. What does it evoke in you, and how does that tie into your own personal and collective histories?