The Ramparts, Mont St. Michel, France c. 1876

Alfred William Hunt created this watercolour painting, 'The Ramparts, Mont St. Michel, France', sometime in the mid-19th century. With its tidal location, Mont St Michel has functioned as both a monastery and a military stronghold, and this picture captures the imposing scale of the structure. The image evokes a sense of the medieval past and the enduring power of the church and state. France in the 19th century saw intense debates about the role of religion, the legacy of feudalism, and the place of tradition. The ramparts themselves are depicted as sturdy and reliable. Hunt’s choice of Mont St Michel as a subject then, aligns with the Romantic movement’s interest in historical and cultural identity. Art historians might look at the writings of figures such as Viollet-le-Duc, who advocated for the preservation of medieval buildings, to better understand the cultural context in which Hunt was working. The meaning of art is deeply embedded in the social and institutional frameworks that support its creation and reception.