University Buildings from Exeter College Gardens n.d.

Frederick MacKenzie made this watercolor painting of University Buildings from Exeter College Gardens sometime in the first half of the 19th century. MacKenzie was known for his architectural paintings, and this one gives us a glimpse into the visual culture surrounding elite institutions in England at the time. The Gothic Revival style of the buildings speaks to a renewed interest in the medieval past, and it's a style often associated with established institutions like Oxford and Cambridge. The image fosters an idealized vision of academic life, a tranquil scene of learning and contemplation, far removed from the social and political unrest that was happening at the time. It almost seems to suggest the university exists outside of time, unaffected by social changes. To fully understand this image, we can dig into the archives of Exeter College and explore the social history of Oxford University in the 1800s. We can consider who had access to education and how class and social status played a role in shaping the university community.