Gezicht op Monzie Castle 1801 - 1802

James Fittler created this print of Monzie Castle, capturing a vision of Scotland that resonated deeply during a time of significant social and political change. As you look at the image, consider that it was made during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period marked by the Highland Clearances, which displaced countless Gaelic families. While Fittler's work doesn't explicitly depict this upheaval, it romanticizes the Scottish landscape, presenting an idealized version of life. It makes you wonder about the stories that are not being told here, the voices that are missing from this pastoral scene. The castle, a symbol of power and privilege, is set against a backdrop of rolling hills, creating a sense of timelessness. How might this image have been perceived by those who were being dispossessed of their lands, and how does it speak to contemporary discussions around land ownership, national identity, and historical memory?