Mousehold Heath, Norwich 1820

John Crome made this painting of Mousehold Heath, Norwich, using oil on canvas. The scene speaks to the social and economic transformations occurring in early 19th century England. Crome was a leading figure of the Norwich School of painters, a group known for their close observation of the local landscape. But this is not simply a neutral record of the countryside. The Heath was common land, a place of recreation and resource for the working class. By Crome's time, such land was under threat from enclosure, the process by which it was privatized for agriculture. The figures on the hill seem to survey the landscape, perhaps contemplating the changes on the horizon. To fully understand this painting, we need to delve into the history of land use, agrarian economics, and local politics. By understanding these social contexts, we gain a richer appreciation of its cultural meaning.