Leathe's water, Skiddaw and saddleback in distance 1817

John Glover captured this view of "Leathe's water, Skiddaw and Saddleback in distance" with oil on canvas. Born in rural Leicestershire, Glover became known as the "father of Australian landscape painting." His identity as an artist was deeply rooted in his connection to the land. The Lake District was an area popular among artists of the time. While the Romantics focused on the sublime, Glover was interested in capturing a sense of the pastoral. But this pastoral vision raises questions: who does the land truly belong to? Glover's vision often sidelined the labor and lives of the working class who shaped the landscape. Instead, his paintings created a sense of tranquility for the enjoyment of the upper classes. In that sense, his art reflects the complex relationship between landscape, ownership, and social class in 19th century Britain. Consider how Glover's vision shapes our understanding of the English countryside, inviting us to reflect on the stories that landscapes tell.