Gezicht op een huis op Monkey Island 1871

This is Henry Taunt’s, Gezicht op een huis op Monkey Island, a small photograph pasted into an album without a known date. Taunt was a bookseller, publisher and photographer who documented the changing landscape and architecture of the Thames region during the Victorian era. During this period, the rise of the middle class and increased leisure time led to a surge in tourism. Taunt capitalized on this trend by capturing picturesque views of the river, which served as both historical records and promotional material for the region. Monkey Island, with its whimsical name and idyllic setting, became a popular destination. This photograph evokes a sense of tranquility and nostalgia, idealizing rural life. These kinds of images were crucial in shaping perceptions and constructing an image of England as a pastoral paradise.