Gezicht over het Windermere before 1871

This is a vintage photograph of Windermere, part of a collection titled "Lakes in Sunshine," taken by Garnett & Sproat. The image is more than just a landscape, it is a cultural artifact reflecting the Victorian era's romanticism of nature and the picturesque. During this time, the Lake District became a popular destination, a space for leisure and aesthetic appreciation by the burgeoning middle class. Garnett & Sproat would have been acutely aware of the expectations of their audience, catering to a desire for idealized views. What narratives are being told by what is included in this image, and equally, what is left out? This photograph invites us to reflect on how landscapes are not just geographical locations, but also cultural constructs shaped by the gaze and desires of those who represent them. It offers a silent commentary on class, leisure, and the romanticization of nature.