Meer in Ugbrooke Park te Chudleigh c. 1850 - 1880

This is Francis Bedford's photographic stereoview of the lake in Ugbrooke Park, Chudleigh. The image, part of a series illustrating Devonshire, was likely made in the mid-19th century. Photography in this period played a crucial role in shaping perceptions of landscape and national identity. Consider the cultural context: the rise of tourism, the Victorian interest in natural history, and the picturesque aesthetic. Bedford's image isn't just a record; it's a carefully composed view, designed to appeal to middle-class consumers. Ugbrooke Park itself is a site with layers of historical meaning – a country estate, a symbol of aristocratic power. Bedford's photograph participates in the construction of an idealised vision of rural England. To fully understand this image, you'd want to explore Bedford's other work, the publishing history of the "Devonshire Illustrated" series, and the social history of Ugbrooke Park. These resources reveal the complex ways in which art is embedded in social and institutional contexts.