[Rocky Inlet with Seascape] 1870s

This photograph, "Rocky Inlet with Seascape," was taken by Francis Bedford sometime in the mid-19th century. Bedford was one of many artists and photographers drawn to the rugged beauty of coastal landscapes. During this period, photography played a crucial role in shaping perceptions of both British identity and the British Empire. Pictures like these visually constructed the romantic sublime and the power of nature. The sublime romanticized and aestheticized landscapes. Look closely, notice how the imposing cliffs frame the sea, creating a sense of awe and perhaps even isolation. What stories do you imagine unfolding in this place, and whose stories are they? Bedford’s photograph invites us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and the narratives we project onto these spaces. It encourages us to consider our place within the landscape.