Brug over de rivier Duddon bij Ulpha in het Lake District c. 1857 - 1867

Garnett and Sproat’s undated photograph, "Brug over de rivier Duddon bij Ulpha in het Lake District," invites us to reflect on the intertwined relationship between landscape, identity, and representation. During the Victorian era, landscape photography became a means of asserting cultural dominance and shaping national identity. This image, with its picturesque scenery, speaks to a romanticized vision of the English countryside that was promoted during this period. Yet, we must also consider whose stories are included and excluded in this narrative. The bridge, a symbol of connection, encourages us to consider the labor and lives that have shaped the physical landscape. Garnett and Sproat’s photograph serves as a reminder of the complex ways in which landscapes are not just aesthetic objects, but are imbued with histories of power, identity, and social relations. What do we see when we look at the past?