Landscape with a Rock Wall, perhaps in Westmorland 1800 - 1849

Peter De Wint made this watercolor landscape, possibly in Westmorland, using brush and gray wash sometime in the first half of the 19th century. It's a scene of nature, but one subtly shaped by human presence. Consider the wall itself, prominently placed. What kind of labor went into its construction? Was it a boundary marker, holding livestock, or protecting fields? The image invites us to consider the relationship between rural labor and the picturesque aesthetic, popular among wealthy landowners. The Royal Watercolour Society, which De Wint belonged to, offered artists institutional support, but also shaped the kind of art that was valued. What sort of audiences attended their exhibitions? What social and cultural values did they hold? To understand an image like this, we can consult agricultural records, estate maps, and exhibition catalogues, bringing together the history of art and the history of rural society. Through this research, we can understand the complex social meanings embedded in seemingly simple landscape views.