Landschap bij Sintra, Portugal Possibly 1837

James Holland made this watercolor landscape of Sintra, Portugal, during a period of increasing European travel and exploration. The picturesque quality of the scene, with its rolling hills and distant mountains, speaks to the Romantic era's fascination with nature. This interest often intersected with colonialist perspectives, framing foreign lands as objects of aesthetic consumption. Consider how Holland, as a British artist, might have perceived and represented the Portuguese landscape through a particular cultural lens. What stories might the local inhabitants tell of this landscape? Reflect on the power dynamics inherent in landscape painting, where the artist's gaze can shape perceptions and reinforce cultural narratives about place and identity. Think about how your own background influences what you see in this image.