Distant View of Nottingham 

Curator: Editor: This is Peter De Wint’s "Distant View of Nottingham," a watercolor. It's quite panoramic and serene, almost dreamlike. What do you make of it? Curator: De Wint was deeply invested in representing the English landscape as a source of national identity and pride. How do you see this reflected in his choice of subject and composition? Editor: I guess the wide, open landscape presents a sense of freedom and belonging. What role did institutions play in shaping these landscape ideals? Curator: The Royal Academy, and the burgeoning art market, promoted specific visions of the picturesque. This reinforced certain social values and power structures tied to land ownership. Editor: So, landscape painting wasn't just about nature? Curator: Exactly. It was also about constructing a visual narrative of England, influencing who felt included and who was marginalized. Food for thought. Editor: Definitely, I didn't think about it like that. Thank you.