Lanelay; [Untitled] 1853 - 1856

John Dillwyn Llewelyn made this photographic print called “Lanelay” sometime in the mid-19th century. Llewelyn was part of a privileged class, landowners who had the means to explore new artistic mediums like photography. This album features two idyllic scenes: the Lanelay Hall, and a man-made waterfall. At first glance, it's a picturesque rendering of the Welsh countryside. But consider this: country estates like Lanelay Hall were not just homes; they were symbols of power, wealth, and the socio-economic structures of Victorian society. Llewelyn, as a member of this class, presents a specific narrative—one that often overlooks the labor and social inequalities that sustained such idyllic settings. The waterfall, seemingly natural, is actually a constructed element, a curated part of the landscape. How might the lives of those who worked on the estate differ from Llewelyn’s? This photograph invites us to reflect on whose stories are told and whose are often left unseen.