Blake House 1860

Alfred Capel Cure captured "Blake House" with a camera in 1860, immortalizing a slice of Victorian England. Born into privilege, Cure's lens reflects the values and aesthetics of his class, framing an imposing country house amidst manicured gardens. But what stories lie beneath the surface of this tranquil scene? The wealth that sustains this estate is inextricably linked to the labor and exploitation of others, both at home and abroad. While the inhabitants of Blake House enjoy leisure and comfort, their lives are built upon a system of social and economic inequality. The photograph offers a glimpse into a world defined by rigid social hierarchies and imperial ambitions. As viewers, we're invited to consider the complexities and contradictions of Victorian society, questioning whose stories are told and whose voices are silenced within these carefully constructed images of prosperity.