Fencing in Suffolk c. 1883 - 1888

Peter Henry Emerson made this photograph, ‘Fencing in Suffolk,’ using the platinum print process. It depicts two men building a fence in a rural landscape. Emerson was a key figure in the rise of artistic photography in Britain. He advocated for photography as a fine art, distinct from commercial or scientific uses. His images often focused on rural life in East Anglia, aiming to capture the natural beauty and the labor of the working class. This image reflects the social conditions of rural England in the late 19th century, a time of agricultural depression and social change. The act of fencing can be interpreted as a metaphor for the social boundaries and economic realities of the time, where access to land and resources was increasingly restricted. Understanding art requires historical context. Studying Emerson's writings, the history of photography, and the social history of rural England helps us interpret the image. Art, like this photograph, reflects and shapes social and institutional contexts.