Gezicht op een bergachtige kust, vermoedelijk in Frans of Spaans Baskenland 1904

This photograph by Delizy captures a mountainous coastline, likely in the French or Spanish Basque region. The image evokes the cultural concept of the picturesque, which gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries as a way of seeing, framing, and representing landscapes. But how does this relate to the cultural context of photography? The image invites reflection on the rise of tourism and leisure in Europe at the time. The Basque region became a popular destination for those seeking natural beauty. Photography played a role in shaping perceptions of this region. It fueled the tourism industry and creating visual records of places visited. To understand photographs like this, we need to understand its historical context. We might look at travel guides, postcards, and other visual materials that circulated at the time. We might consider the social class and cultural background of the photographer and the intended audience for the image.