Gnarled-Thorn Trees c. 1890 - 1895

Peter Henry Emerson created this photogravure print, titled "Gnarled-Thorn Trees," using photographic methods that were quite novel in his time. Emerson believed photography could be an art form, capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere in the natural world. In this image, we see a row of bare trees silhouetted against a flat, pale sky. The scene evokes the stark beauty of the English countryside. Emerson was interested in documenting rural life and landscapes, and this photograph reflects a growing movement in England to preserve and celebrate its natural heritage. Photogravure was a means of granting photography a place in the high art world, which was dominated by painting and sculpture. To fully appreciate Emerson’s photograph, we might research the history of photography as an artistic medium, as well as the cultural values tied up with the representation of the English landscape at the turn of the century.